Question

With respect to the constituents causing alkalinity in water, which of the following situation never arises?

(a) CO3^2- and HCO3^– together

(b) HCO3^– and OH^– together

(c) OH^– only

(d) OH^– and CO3^2- together

I had been asked this question during an online interview.

I would like to ask this question from Alkalinity of Water and its Estimation topic in chapter Water and its Treatment of Engineering Chemistry II

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) HCO3^– and OH^– together

To elaborate: HCO3^– and OH^– together combines to form CO3^2- ions. Therefore, this situation never arises.