Which property is NOT a physical property significant in water treatment?

Which property is NOT a physical property significant in water treatment?

• A. Color
• B. Odor
• C. Solubility
• D. Electrical conductivity

Answer: (C)

Solubility is considered a chemical property rather than a physical property. In the context of water treatment, physical properties include attributes that can be observed without changing the chemical composition of the substance. Color, odor, and electrical conductivity are all physical characteristics that can directly inform operators about the quality of water and help identify contaminants or assess treatment processes. Color can indicate the presence of organic material or other pollutants, odor can signal contamination or the breakdown of substances, and electrical conductivity can offer insights into the total dissolved solids present in the water. Solubility, on the other hand, involves the ability of a substance to dissolve in water, which leads to a chemical change in the water's composition, particularly as solutes interact with the solvent. Therefore, it does not fit into the category of significant physical properties for water treatment assessment.

Solubility is considered a chemical property rather than a physical property. In the context of water treatment, physical properties include attributes that can be observed without changing the chemical composition of the substance. Color, odor, and electrical conductivity are all physical characteristics that can directly inform operators about the quality of water and help identify contaminants or assess treatment processes.

Color can indicate the presence of organic material or other pollutants, odor can signal contamination or the breakdown of substances, and electrical conductivity can offer insights into the total dissolved solids present in the water. Solubility, on the other hand, involves the ability of a substance to dissolve in water, which leads to a chemical change in the water's composition, particularly as solutes interact with the solvent. Therefore, it does not fit into the category of significant physical properties for water treatment assessment.