Question

An aqueous solution of borax is-
(A) Neutral
(B) Amphoteric
(C) Basic
(D) Acidic

Answer 1

Hint: The system in which a solvent is water is an aqueous solution. It is usually shown by adding (aq) to the respective chemical formula in chemical equations. Water is an outstanding solvent and is therefore generally available, an all-embracing organic solvent.

Complete step by step solution:
> The solution in which the solvent is a liquid, but not, water is a non-aqueous solution. Hydrophobic compounds also do not dissolve well in water, whereas hydrophilic ones ('water friendly') do. Sodium chloride is an example of a hydrophilic material. A substance's ability to dissolve into water depends on whether the substance is able to match or exceed the strong attractive forces produced by water molecules. The molecules form a precipitate when the substance has no capacity to dissolve into water.
> Borax is a salt of a sodium base and a mild boric acid. Sodium borate, sodium tetraborate or disodium tetraborate are the other names of borax. Borax results from hydrolysis in the aqueous solution to remove the alkaline water.
> Borax is partially dissociated to form ${B_2}{O_7}^{2 - }$ ions whenever dissolved in water . The following are hydrolysed:
$ \Rightarrow {B_2}{O_7}^{2 - } + 7{H_2}O \to 2O{H^ - } + 4{H_3}B{O_3}$
And on hydrolysis, we see we have hydroxide ions. This is why it is basic in nature.
Hence it is clear that option C is the correct option.

Note: Borax is an essential part of numerous detergents, cosmetics and glazing. It is used for buffer solutions in biochemistry, as a fire resistance, as an anti-fungal material, as a metallurgy fluid, as neutron shields for nuclear sources as a texturing agent, as a cross-linking agent for slime, as a precursor to other boron compounds and as an insecticide (similarly) as an alkali in photographer developers.