Borax Bead Test is carried out when the original mixture is coloured. It is done with the help of a cleam platinum wire on which a small loop is made at the end. When borax is heated on platinum wire loop transparent glass like bead is obtained. The hot bead is brought in contact with salt till it reacts with fused borax and colour is imparted to the bead. bead colour is noted.
`{:("Colour of the bead","Ion"),(1." Blue green",Cu^(2+)),(2." Yellow ",Fe^(3+)),(3." Green",Cr^(3+)),(4." Violet",Mn^(2+)),(5." Dark blue",Co^(2+)),(6." Brown",Ni^(2+)):}`
Q. The flame used in Borax Bead Test is:

Options

A. Reducing
B. Oxidising
C. Both (a) and (b)
D. Neither (a) nor (b)

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Borax Bead Test**: The Borax Bead Test is a qualitative analysis method used to identify metal ions based on the color of the bead produced when borax is heated and then reacted with the metal salt.

2. **Preparation of the Bead**: A clean platinum wire loop is heated until it is red hot, and then it is dipped into borax. Upon heating, the borax melts and forms a transparent glass-like bead.

3. **Contact with the Sample**: The hot bead is then brought into contact with the metal salt to be tested. The bead absorbs the metal ions from the salt, and upon cooling, it is ready for further testing.

4. **Heating in Different Flames**: The bead is then heated in two types of flames: an oxidizing flame and a reducing flame. The color of the bead can change depending on the type of flame used.

5. **Observing Color Changes**: Different metal ions will impart different colors to the bead when heated in either flame. For example, a yellow color may appear in an oxidizing flame, while the same salt may produce a green color in a reducing flame.

6. **Conclusion on Flame Type**: Since both oxidizing and reducing flames are used during the Borax Bead Test to observe the color changes, the correct answer to the question regarding the type of flame used is that both types of flames are applicable.

### Final Answer:
The flame used in the Borax Bead Test is **both oxidizing and reducing**.