Hard water contains \(\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}, \mathrm{Mg}^{2+},\) and \(\mathrm{Fe}^{2+},\) which interfere with the action of soap and leave an insoluble coating on the insides of containers and pipes when heated. Water softeners replace these ions with \(\mathrm{Na}^{+} .\) Keep in mind that charge balance must be maintained. (a) If 1500 Lof hard water contains 0.020\(M \mathrm{Ca}^{2+}\) and \(0.0040 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{Mg}^{2+},\) how many moles of \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}\) are needed to replace these ions? ( b) If the sodium is added to the water softener in the form of \(\mathrm{NaCl}\) , how many grams of sodium chloride are needed?

Hard water can be a nuisance in daily life due to the presence of certain minerals that it contains. Specifically, these minerals include ions like calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), and sometimes iron (Fe²⁺). These ions are responsible for creating challenges such as reducing the effectiveness of soap and detergents, and forming scale buildup on appliances and pipes. Scale is an insoluble coating that can decrease the lifespan of household mechanisms and affect the aesthetics of sinks and bathtubs. Understanding these ions' chemistry is fundamental in addressing the hardships caused by hard water.

To combat the detrimental effects of hard water, a process known as ion exchange is employed in water softeners. During ion exchange, hard water ions, which carry a positive charge (cations), are exchanged with sodium (Na⁺) ions. Since calcium and magnesium ions are divalent (meaning they have a charge of +2), for every single ion of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ that is removed, two sodium ions are needed to maintain electrical neutrality in the water. This exchange prevents the formation of scale and allows soaps and detergents to function more effectively by removing the source of the problem -- the hard water ions.

Mole calculation is a key element in chemistry that allows us to quantify substances in a very practical way. When dealing with hard water, determining the amount of a treatment substance, such as sodium, requires understanding of moles. A mole is a unit that represents approximately 6.022 x 10²³ particles of a given substance, which is Avogadro's number. In water softening, we calculate the moles of hard water ions to figure out how many moles of the sodium ions we would need to replace them.

By utilizing stoichiometry, which is essentially 'chemical accounting', we ensure that the exchange between sodium ions and hard water ions is precise. This allows for effective softening without wastage of resources or over-saturation of sodium in the water, which could lead to other negative effects.

Stoichiometry plays a pivotal role in ensuring chemical reactions in water treatment are accurately carried out. This field of chemistry involves calculating the relationships and proportions between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. When applying stoichiometry to water treatment, particularly in ion exchange, it ensures the correct amount of sodium chloride (NaCl) is used to replace the hard water ions, keeping the balance and avoiding an excess of sodium in the softened water. It's crucial for chemically balancing the treatment process and for maintaining an environmentally safe and cost-effective operation of water softening facilities.