Borax: Uses, Properties & Sample Questions

Borax, commonly known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, is a solid boron compound that occurs in a crystalline state. It is a soft, colorless compound that easily dissolves in water. Borax consists of 3 positively charged ions and a borate ion. It is commonly found in seasonal lakes and has various applications in our day-to-day life, for example as pesticides, food preservatives, and fire retardants. Borax is also a salt of boric acid. 

Keywords: Borax, Sodium Borate, Boron, Alkali, Boric acid, Ions, Pesticides, Boron, Borate ion

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Uses of Borax

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Borax has several important applications spanning various kinds of industries. This includes detergent and cosmetic products as well. Following are some of the uses of borax:

• Common Uses
• Medicinal Uses
• Niche Uses

Common Uses

• Borax serves as a precursor to various important compounds of boron, especially boric acid which is popularly known for its use in insecticides.
• Borax is used by photographic developers as an alkali.
• It is also used in metallurgy processes.
• Borax is used as a texturing agent in the field of cooking.
• Borax has antifungal properties and hence can be employed to kill or inhibit the growth of fungi.
• Several cosmetic products, enamel glazes, and detergents are known to contain borax as an ingredient.
• Borax also has the capability of serving as a flame retardant.

Medicinal Uses

• As mentioned, borax has antifungal properties and therefore is also used for the treatment of fungal foot diseases.
• Borax is widely used in the production of vitamin supplements.
• Thrush, a bacterial infection common in horses can also be treated with the help of borax.
• Borax is also considered to be an important chemical required by the body as it helps in the healthy growth of bones. 

Niche Uses

• Borax can be used to treat timber and other wood products infested with woodworm.
• Blacksmiths use borax for the welding process known as forge welding.
• Borax can also serve as a preservative in taxidermy.
• Borax is used as a buffering agent to maintain the pH levels of swimming pools.
• Borax is added to soil deficient in boron and acts as a micronutrient fertilizer.

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Properties of Borax

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Following are the properties of borax: 

• Borax is a colorless compound that is easily soluble in water. 
• Sodium borate is flammable in nature and reacts well with bases.
• The chemical formula of borax is Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O.
• The molecular mass of borax is 381.38g/mol (hydrated) and 201.22g/mol (dehydrated).
• The melting point of borax is 743K and the boiling point is 1575K.
• The density of borax is 1.73 g/cm³.

Borax

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Things to Remember

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• Borax is a colorless compound that is easily soluble in water.
• Borax is also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate.
• The chemical formula of borax is Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O.
• It is commonly found in seasonal lakes.
• Borax has various applications in our day-to-day life, for example as pesticides, food preservatives, and fire retardants.
• Borax has antifungal properties.

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Previous Year Questions

1. A solution of sodium borate has a pH of approximately…?
2. 0.1M solution of which one of these substances will be basic…? (NEET 1992)
3. The aqueous solution of borax is…? 
4. Borax is not used…?
5. The reaction B(OH)₃ + NaOH <=> Na[B(OH)₄] B(OH)₃ + NaOH <=> NaBO₂ + 2H₂O can be made to proceed in the forward direction by the addition of…? (JEE Advanced 2006)
6. The correct formula for borax is…? (KEAM)
7. In borax, the number of B-O-B links and B-OH bonds present is respectively…?
8. Borax is…? (COMEDK UGET 2005)
9. Molecules of a noble gas do not possess vibrational energy because a noble gas…?
10. Choose the weak monobasic acid among the following…? (KEAM)

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