Question detail

What is the main difference between potable water and chemically pure water?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

At a glance

Question

Type

exam_style

Style

Topic

Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water

Question

What is the main difference between potable water and chemically pure water?

Answer

Potable water is water that is safe to drink and may contain dissolved salts and microbes at low levels, while chemically pure water is water that contains only H2O molecules and no impurities.

Explanation

A strong answer should directly address the approved learning objective to distinguish potable water from chemically pure water. This question belongs to Potable water within Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water, so the response should use that exact curriculum context rather than a generic statement. The answer is correct when it names the key idea, explains the link to potable water, and keeps the wording specific to AQA GCSE revision.

Common mistake

Confusing Potable Water with Pure Water

Students often think that potable water is the same as chemically pure water, not realizing that potable water can contain dissolved substances that make it safe to drink.

Remember that potable water is safe for consumption and may have low levels of dissolved salts and microbes, while chemically pure water contains no impurities.

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