H2O
Water.
Source of life, and it makes up 75% of our bodies. (Yes, so you’re not fat.)
I’ve been boiling tap water in Leuven via the Student Residence’s electric kettle that is made of plastic. And there was this white residue in my cup after a while. Being paranoid by nature, I didn’t want to die from some melted plastic overdose or something, so I switched to an ordinary stainless steel pot to boil my daily dose of water. But likewise, I get a weird whitish residue floating all over my cup. I even tried using a non-stick pan, which coming to think of it now, is so silly. But hey, at least I tried.
I really should have just Googled earlier. Oh right, but I couldn’t do that because of the internet problem! Thanks a whole load, KUL. (Okay I will stop being a sour grape now)
And so BBftw on chemistry.stackexchange.com says this:
It’s likely that your home is supplied with “hard” water (that is, water with a high mineral content). These dissolved minerals typically include calcium or magnesium ions (from dissolved calcium bicarbonate and magnesium bicarbonate, respectively). Heating or boiling your “hard” water in a kettle will soften it by precipitating the calcium carbonate as its solubility decreases with increasing temperature.
This (calcium carbonate) could be the white powder you have observed after evaporation. Hard water should not pose any health risks, and in fact can add some extra calcium and magnesium to your diet. If it’s still concerning to you, there are hundreds of products available that can soften your water before you use it, just google “water softener” and you’ll be overwhelmed.
And he/she goes on to provide a link on Hard Water.
If you’re asking me if this water tastes different, my reply to you is it depends. Before boiling, the water definitely has a heavier taste to it than SG’s. But after boiling, the water tastes the same. If you close your eyes and pretend the white particles aren’t there.
Well, that’s just some food for thought as I continue to rot here in Leuven. I’ve been thinking a lot about trash too. Will be sharing some of the dirt that’s been running through my head soon.
Nomz,
Cam