Question

Which of the following non-metal is commonly used for purifying water?
A.Sulphur
B.Oxygen
C.Chlorine
D.Xenon

Answer 1

Hint:Water purification is the process by which undesired chemical compounds, organic and inorganic materials, and biological contaminants are removed from water. This purification procedure reduces the concentration of various contaminants such as suspended particles, parasites, bacteria, algae, viruses, and fungi.

Complete step by step answer:
-Sulphur: Sulphur is a non-metal which when reacts with oxygen forms Sulphur dioxide and when sulphur dioxide is dissolved in water, it forms sulphuric acid. Moreover, Sulphur is also not soluble in water. Sulphur in water can cause complications like pipe corrosion. Plus, there are also issues such as easily recognizable taste and odour issues.
-Oxygen: The water molecules already have oxygen (one molecule of oxygen and two molecules of hydrogen). For an additional molecule to form Hydrogen Peroxide requires very high duty chemistry. Thus, Water can’t be oxygenated and obviously Water cannot be purified using Oxygen.
-Chlorine: Chlorine is a non-metal which is most commonly used as a disinfectant for water. Chlorine is used to kill most microorganisms present in water and it is cheap as well. There are so many methods used to deactivate disease causing microorganisms in water. But Chlorination is one of the most widely and commonly used methods. When combined with filtration, Then Chlorination becomes the best way to disinfect the drinking water.
-Xenon: Xenon is a rare, odourless, tasteless, chemically unreactive gas. This gas is inert and inhalation of it in excessive amounts can cause vomiting, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness and even death. So, that is why it’s not used for water purification purposes.

Hence option C is correct.

Note:
Although, Chlorination is very effective against pathogenic bacteria but normally it does not kill all the worms, viruses and cysts present in water. Chlorination in combination with filtration is an excellent way to purify water.