Question

A strip of absolutely clear cloth is sprayed with onion juice. The strip is then rubbed with
few drops of hydrochloric acid. Will the strip smell like onion? Give a reason for your
answer.

Answer 1

HEYA MATE,

HERE IS UR ANSWER.

Thanks for asking this question.

Yes it will smell like
onion is a olfactory indicator which doesnot change its smell when added to an acid.

Answer 2

Onion extract has olfactory indicators.The term olfactory means relating to the sense of smell. Those substances whose smell changes in acidic or basic solutions are called olfactory indicators. Onion has a characteristic smell. An acidic solution like hydrochloric acid does not destroy the smell of onions but when a basic solution like sodium hydroxide solution is added to a cloth strip treated with onion extract then the onion smell cannot be detected.This can be used as test for acids and bases.