Why is distilled water preferred in laboratory settings?

Distilled water is preferred in laboratory settings because it is pure and does not contain any impurities or minerals.

In a laboratory setting, the accuracy and reliability of experimental results are paramount. The use of distilled water, which is water that has been boiled into vapour and then condensed back into liquid in a separate container, helps to ensure this. This process removes impurities and minerals from the water, making it 'pure'.

When conducting experiments, it's crucial to control all variables as much as possible. If regular tap water was used, the minerals and other substances present could potentially react with the chemicals being used in the experiment. This could skew the results or lead to unexpected outcomes. For instance, the presence of calcium ions in hard water could interfere with reactions involving soap, causing it to form a scum rather than a lather.

Furthermore, distilled water is often used in the preparation of solutions. In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances. In such a mixture, a solute is a substance dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving. In a solution, all the ingredients are uniformly distributed at a molecular level. Therefore, the composition is the same throughout.

In conclusion, distilled water's lack of impurities and minerals makes it an ideal choice in laboratory settings. It allows for greater control over experimental conditions, ensuring that results are as accurate and reliable as possible.