Microcosmic salt is used to perform bead tests similar to the borax bead test. Upon heating, it lose — Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Chemistry Question
Question
Microcosmic salt is used to perform bead tests similar to the borax bead test. Upon heating, it loses water and ammonia to form a transparent glassy bead. What is the chemical formula of this transparent glassy bead?
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
The formula of microcosmic salt is $Na(NH_4)HPO_4 \cdot 4H_2O$. On heating, it undergoes decomposition: $Na(NH_4)HPO_4 \cdot 4H_2O \rightarrow NaPO_3 + NH_3 \uparrow + 5H_2O \uparrow$. The transparent glassy bead is sodium metaphosphate ($NaPO_3$).
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