Question

Calgon is the industrial name given to
(A) Normal sodium phosphate
(B) Sodium meta-aluminate
(C) Sodium hexametaphosphate
(D) hydrated sodium aluminium silicate

Answer 1

Hint: Calgon is a chemical compound which is used as the water softener. It is mainly used to prepare water for the dyeing process. Calgon will remove/reduce the minerals which are present in the hard water, as it can affect the dyeing of fabrics.

Complete step by step answer:
Calgon is the industrial name for sodium hexametaphosphate. Calgon will be having a molecular formula of . Calgon is a hexamer i.e. the polymer made up of six molecular compositions of a monomer. The formula of the complex unit of Calgon is given by .
Sodium hexametaphosphate is a crystal-like material or will be present in the powdery form. It does not have any particular colour or odour. It can be soluble in water.
Sodium hexametaphosphate has various uses such as
- It can be used as a Surfactant, Buffer, Dispersing agent and Cleansing product.
- It can be used as an Emulsifier and will be helpful for the manufacture of coated paper.
- Clay processing
- used in Drilling mud as it can act as a viscosity regulator.
- used in water treatment.
- Washing machine cleanser, so it won’t allow hard material pile-up.
- Teeth whitener
- Food additives

Therefore, the correct answer is option(C) Sodium hexametaphosphate.

Note: Some of the harmful effects of uses of Calgon:
- Calcium loss from the bones.
- Skin irritation
- Kidney swelling
- Muscular changes in fibres.