Skip to main content
alpha-naphthol test

alpha-naphthol test

8.3
A chemical test that shows a violet ring when sugar is in a liquid
  • noun
  • /ˈælfə ˈnæfθɒl tɛst/
  • Specialized
translation icon : prueba de alfa-naftol
  • After adding sulfuric acid, a violet ring appeared, confirming a positive alpha-naphthol test.

Examples

  • The alpha-naphthol test is frequently used in laboratories to identify the presence of carbohydrates.

  • Students learned to perform the alpha-naphthol test as part of their biochemistry practical.

  • The alpha-naphthol test is crucial for identifying sugars.

  • Can you explain how the alpha-naphthol test works?

  • After adding sulfuric acid, a violet ring appeared, confirming a positive alpha-naphthol test.

  • The alpha-naphthol test is frequently used in laboratories to identify the presence of carbohydrates.

  • Students learned to perform the alpha-naphthol test as part of their biochemistry practical.

Synonyms

Molisch's test
vsalpha-naphthol test
  • Specialized
9.3

A chemical test that shows sugars in a liquid by making a violet ring

is named for the chemical reagent used rather than after a person
Molisch reaction
vsalpha-naphthol test
  • Specialized
9.9

A chemical test that shows a violet ring when sugars are present

is the biochemical name highlighting the reagent rather than the procedural label
Molisch test
vsalpha-naphthol test
  • Specialized
8.4

A lab test that shows sugar by making a purple ring

is the same test but named for the reagent instead of the common title

Surface Forms

Morphology

alpha-naphthol + test

The element 'alpha-naphthol' is a specialized chemical name that a B1 learner would not be able to decompose into familiar meanings, so the precise sense (a carbohydrate-detecting reaction producing a violet ring) is not recoverable from the parts. However, the compositional pattern 'X test' is predictable, so a learner who did know 'alpha-naphthol' and 'test' could infer it is a test that uses alpha-naphthol, giving partial but not full transparency.

Etymology

Alpha-naphthol test is named after the chemical alpha-naphthol, which makes a violet ring when it meets sugars and a strong acid. That purple ring looks like a small necklace around the sample, so the test means 'a way to show that sugars are present'.