Question

The formula for sodium zeolite, which is used in permutit process for softening water is:
A. $N{{a}_{2}}O\cdot A{{l}_{2}}{{O}_{3}}\cdot ySi{{O}_{2}}\cdot x{{H}_{2}}O$
B. $N{{a}_{2}}\cdot A{{l}_{2}}\cdot S{{i}_{2}}{{O}_{4}}\cdot x{{H}_{2}}O$
C. $N{{a}_{2}}O\cdot Al{{O}_{3}}\cdot Si{{O}_{4}}\cdot x{{H}_{2}}O$
D. ${{K}_{2}}A{{l}_{2}}Si{{O}_{8}}\cdot x{{H}_{2}}O$

Answer 1

To answer the question, we need to have an idea about the process of water softening. Once we are done with the process of water softening, and the compounds that are used, we can easily compare that with the options which are provided and proceed for the answer.

Complete answer:
Water softening is the removal of calcium, magnesium, and certain other metal cations in hard water. The resulting soft water requires less soap for the same cleaning effort as soap is not wasted bonding with calcium ions.
Permutit process is a process where hard water containing impurities such as $C{{a}^{2+}}\text{ and }M{{g}^{2+}}$ are filtered through natural sand called zeolite. A permutit is packed into the reservoir from which the hard water is allowed to pass. When the water passes through the permutit, the exchange of ions takes place and sodium and aluminium replace calcium and magnesium. Presence of silica is also required.
The formula of Sodium zeolite that is used in the permutit process is $N{{a}_{2}}O\cdot A{{l}_{2}}{{O}_{3}}\cdot ySi{{O}_{2}}\cdot x{{H}_{2}}O$.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: We should know that zeolite is also known as sodium aluminum silicate. It is made up of microporous minerals which have the capacity of exchanging ions. Hence zeolite is used to remove the hardness of the water. Zeolite is also used as a detergent. The primary function of a builder in detergent products is too soft and the wash water by extracting water hardness components.