Question

When red litmus is added to a solution of borax it turns blue. What can you say about the pH of borax solution?

Answer 1

1. Borax solution

The compound Borax is composed of boron, oxygen, and soda. Another name for the compound is Sodium borate. The salt is generally alkaline in nature and so its solution will also have a basic nature. The chemical formula of borax is ${\mathrm{Na}}_2\left[{\mathrm{B}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_5{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_4\right].8{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$.

2. pH of borax solution

If red litmus turns blue when placed in an unknown solution, then the solution is basic. If blue litmus red blue when placed in an unknown solution, then the solution is acidic.

When red litmus is added to a solution of Borax, it turns blue because of the alkaline nature of the solution. Therefore, the pH of Borax will be more than 7.