Question

The role of phosphate in detergent powder is to:
A. Control pH level of the detergent water mixture
B. Remove $C{{a}^{2+}}$and $M{{g}^{2+}}$ions from the water that causes the hardness of water.
C. Provide whiteness to fabrics
D. Form solid detergent as phosphate-less detergents are liquid in nature.

Answer 1

Hint: Phosphate is the molecule represented by the chemical formula $P{{O}_{4}}^{3-}$ in which one atom of phosphorus and 4 atom of oxygen are present. Detergent powder is generally used in washing clothes.

 Complete answer:
The concept can be explained on the basis of hard and soft water. Soft water can be explained as that water which can form lather with the soap and used in daily life activities like laundry and cleaning. Whereas hard water is that type of water which does not form lather with soap instead of forming lather it forms precipitates with them and hard water is due to the presence of calcium and magnesium ions in them.
Hardness of the water can be explained on the basis of the presence of soluble bicarbonates, chlorides and sulfates of calcium and magnesium. Hardness of water can be removed by a number of methods. The main role of phosphate in detergent powder is to remove $C{{a}^{2+}}$ and $M{{g}^{2+}}$ ions from the water that causes the hardness of water.

 Hence option B is the correct answer.

 Note:
Hard water has high mineral content and generally forms when water percolates through the deposits of chalk and limestone, particles which are made up of magnesium and calcium. Hardness is also of two types: Permanent and temporary.