Quick Answer
Distilled water can be tested for purity by using a litmus test or by measuring its conductivity. A litmus test will indicate if the water is acidic or basic, while a conductivity test will measure the level of dissolved ions in the water. A lower reading typically indicates higher purity.
Testing with Litmus Paper
To use litmus paper to test the purity of distilled water, dip a small piece of litmus paper into the water. If the paper remains colorless or changes very little, the water is likely pure. However, if the paper turns red or blue, the water contains acidic or basic contaminants. This method is relatively simple and inexpensive, but it may not detect very small amounts of contamination.
Conductivity Testing
Conductivity testing is a more precise method of measuring the purity of distilled water. To conduct a conductivity test, use a conductivity meter to measure the resistance of a known volume of water. A lower reading typically indicates higher purity. For example, a reading of 0.05 microsiemens per centimeter (μS/cm) or lower is generally considered acceptable for distilled water.
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