You Were Searching for Soft Water?

Here's a look at some of the most popular internal search terms at About Chemistry this past week. Relating to water and pH (two top searches), here's an interesting factoid for you: Did you know that the average pH reported by the water commission in Charleston, SC is 8.9? Wow! Somehow I had expected a more acidic pH, given all of the pine and oak trees, tannin-colored water, and industrial 'additions' to the air. The city is on the ocean, true, but the pH of seawater is around 8.1 (neutral pH is 7, with most fresh stream water in the 6-7 range). Anyway...

• Chemistry of Hard & Soft Water
• Acid-Base Indicators
• Natural Easter Egg Dyes
• Reverse Osmosis
• What Causes Rigor Mortis?