Question

Identify the olfactory element in the following: vanilla, onion and clove. Justify your answer.

Answer 1

Olfactory indication:

1. An olfactory indication is a chemical that varies its scent depending on whether it is dissolved in acid or base.
2. In laboratories, they are employed in olfactory titration to detect acid and base.
3. An olfactory substance is any material that may alter its scent in acid and in base.
4. Vanilla, onion, and clove are all olfactory markers; in the presence of an acidic solution, they keep their distinct scent, but in the presence of a basic solution, they lose their distinct fragrance.

Vanilla:

1. Vanilla is an olfactory indication because it exhibits two distinct odours in the presence of acid and base.
2. Vanilla keeps its aroma in the presence of acid. Vanilla loses its whole aroma in the basic solution.

Onion:

1. An onion is an olfactory indication since it has two unique odours when there is acid and base present.
2. Onion with acid preserves its natural flavour.
3. In the presence of a basic solution, the onion loses its scent and becomes fully odourless.

Clove:

1. Clove is an olfactory indication because it has two unique odours in the presence of acid and base.
2. Clove preserves its fragrance in the presence of vanilla and onion but loses its smell in the presence of a basic solution solely.