Question

In what solution do we dissolve boron oxide $\left( {{B_2}{O_3}} \right)$ and silica $\left( {Si{O_2}} \right)$ respectively to form borates and silicates?
(A) Acid solution
(B) Alkali solution
(C) Salt solution
(D) Hydrogen gas

Answer 1

Boron and silicon are metals and can easily lose electrons, these two elements’ forms oxides. These oxides are known as boron oxide and silicon oxide when dissolved in an alkali solution reacts with the basis solution and forms salts. Those corresponding salts were known as borates and silicates.

Complete answer:
Boron is an element with atomic number $5$ and mostly loses electrons due to its metallic nature. Silicon is an element with an atomic number $14$ and mostly loses electrons due to its metallic nature.
These two elements’ forms oxides with oxygen. The oxide of boron is known as boron oxide with a molecular formula ${B_2}{O_3}$ and the oxide of silicon is known as silicon oxide with a molecular formula $Si{O_2}$ .
These oxides, when treated with a basic solution, form salts. The corresponding salts were borates and silicates.
Boron oxide when treated with alkali solution sodium hydroxide forms a borate.
$2NaOH + {B_2}{O_3} + 3{H_2}O \to 2Na\left[ {B{{(OH)}_4}} \right]$
Silicon oxide also known as silica when treated with an alkali solution forms silicate.
$4NaOH + Si{O_2} \to N{a_2}Si{O_4} + 2{H_2}O$
Thus, the alkali solution is the correct one.
Option B is the correct one.

Note:
Borates and silicates have a very great importance in chemical laboratories. The glass apparatus in the laboratory can be made from these borates and silicates. But borates are generally used. These have very high melting points, thus when glass apparatus kept in the oven do not lead to cracks or melt even at higher temperatures.