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Chlorine Test Lab Report

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4. Discussion
Based on the results, the hypothesis was not correct. It was hypothesised that the control sample would retain the most chlorine, and light would retain the least, with stabiliser and cover between them. The results gathered were very different, showing cover as the best, retaining 70.2% of the original OCl-, and stabiliser as the worst with only 50.3% of OCl- remaining. The control and light samples were situated between them, with an OCl- retention of 58.6% and 56.1% respectively. This is very different to the expected results, and can only be put down to errors and anomalies, since there is no logical explanation for the control sample to do worse than the covered sample, since it was kept in darkness. However, the general …show more content…

When titrating, the concentration of OCl- was found, this would not account for the molecules which have bonded to form stabilised chlorine. Since the stabiliser has bonded with the ions there is less free chlorine than all other samples, resulting in the lowest readings for OCl-. However, since the reaction forming stabilised chlorine is an equilibrium reaction, as free hypochlorite ions are used the concentration of these in the pool will decrease. The reaction will then shift in reverse to retain equilibrium and reduce the effects of the concentration decrease, therefore more ions will be released. This would mean that the stabiliser is not the worst at sustaining chlorine, as the ions will slowly become free again as needed. To better compare this, the percentage decrease in [OCl-] was found for all samples, sample calculations for which can be found in appendix …show more content…

However, based on the logical unlikelihood of stabiliser having a negative effect compared to only light, the conclusion was drawn that due to bonding between the free ions which were measured with the stabiliser there was a drastic decrease in the measurement of free ions. After analysing the data using the percentage decrease of concentration, rather than the concentration itself the results were more logically sound, showing control as the worst and cover as the best method for chlorine retention. As both conclusions show a pool cover to retain the most chlorine, it would be recommended that a pool cover would be the best option to protect the pool from chlorine loss due to UV light. Using a pool cover will retain the most hypochlorite ions in a pool, thus are better at maintaining pool safety, since there will be more chlorine available to disinfect the pool and it will need to be added less frequently. Pool covers also have many other advantages in pool protection, as they stop debris from entering the pool, and are also more environmentally friendly, since fewer.00000 chemicals (hypochlorite and isocyanuric acid) are introduced into the pool. The pool cover also has a greater lifespan than these chemicals, reducing the expenses of pool maintenance. The disadvantages of covers are that they can cause a heat increase in to pool

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