Texes Art EC-12 Practice Exam

Which oxide is used to produce a glaze with pale green tones in ceramics?

1. Vanadium Oxide

2. Nickel Oxide

3. Cobalt Oxide

4. Chromium Oxide

The correct answer is: Nickel Oxide

Nickel oxide is well known for its ability to produce a range of glaze colors, particularly pale green tones in ceramics. When used in glazes, nickel oxide can interact with other materials in the glaze formulation to create subtle variations in color, often resulting in soft greens that are highly desirable in ceramic artistry. The ability of nickel to develop these hues is attributed to the metal's unique chemical properties, which affect the way it absorbs and reflects light within the glaze matrix. Other oxides mentioned in the options contribute to different colors and effects. For instance, vanadium oxide typically produces a range of greens but may lean towards darker, more muted tones. Cobalt oxide is commonly known for creating rich blues, while chromium oxide can yield various shades of green, but these are usually more vivid and intense than the pale greens produced by nickel oxide. Therefore, nickel oxide is specifically renowned for achieving the delicate pale greens sought in ceramic glazes.