Question

Explain different types of oxides.

Answer 1

Oxides are of four types as follows :

(1) acidic oxides :

• The oxide, which on reaction with water forms an acid or reacts with a base to give a salt is called an acidic oxide.
• It is formed by the combination of oxygen with non-metals. For example CO₂, SO₃, etc.

 

(2) Basic oxide :

• The oxide, which on reaction with water forms a base or reacts with an acid to give a salt is called basic oxide.
• It is formed by the reaction of oxygen with highly electropositive metals. 

For example, 

Na₂O, CaO, etc. 

Na₂O_(s) + H₂O_(I) → 2NaOH_(aq) 

CaO_(s) + H₂O_(I) → Ca(OH)_2(aq) 

BaO_(s) + 2HCl_(aq) → BaCl₂ + H₂O

• Basic oxides are generally ionic in nature.

(3) Amphoteric oxide :

• The oxide, which shows both acidic and basic I characteristics is called an amphoteric oxide. 
• They are formed by the reaction of oxygen with elements which lie on the border of electroposifive (metals) and electronegative (non-metals) nature.

For example,

Along the period, from left to right the nature of oxides changes from basic to amphoteric to acidic.

(4) Neutral oxide : The oxide which behaves neither acidic nor basic is called a neutral oxide. 

For example, 

CO, NO, N₂O.