Question

Borax Bead Test is responded by ________.

Answer 1

The borax bead test may be used to distinguish the metaborates of numerous transition metals since they have distinctive colours.

Borax Bead Test:

1. Borax, ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{B}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7.10{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$, loses water of crystallisation when heated and becomes fused (sodium pyroborate).
2. It expands into a fluffy, white porous mass that melts into a colourless liquid and then crystallises into a clear, transparent glassy bead made of sodium metaborate and boric anhydride.
3. Non-volatile describes boric anhydride.
4. A distinctively coloured metal metaborate bead is created when it reacts with a coloured metallic salt.

Procedure:

1. When heated, ${\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{B}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7.10{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$ generates a clear, colourless glassy bead in the loop of platinum wire Borax.
2. A tiny bit of coloured salt applied to this hot bead before it is cooked once again gives it a distinctive colour.
3. The type of cation present is indicated by the colour of the bead.
4. Separate notes on the bead's colour are made for oxidising and lowering flames.