Chapter 12: Problem 10
Which of the following oxides is most basic? (a) \(\mathrm{Bi}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) (b) \(\mathrm{SeO}_{2}\) (c) \(\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Sb}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Bi鈧侽鈧 is the most basic oxide among the options.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the terms: Basic and Acidic Oxides
Basic oxides react with acids to form salt and water. They are typically the oxides of metals, especially those from the groups 1 and 2 of the periodic table. On the other hand, acidic oxides react with bases. They are usually non-metal oxides.
02
Elemental Classification of Oxides
Identify whether each of the elements forming the oxides is a metal or non-metal. Bismuth (Bi), Aluminum (Al), and Antimony (Sb) are metals, whereas Selenium (Se) is a non-metal.
03
Analyse the Acidity/Basicity of Each Oxide
Al鈧侽鈧 is amphoteric, meaning it can react both as a base and an acid. Bi鈧侽鈧 and Sb鈧侽鈧 are primarily basic. SeO鈧 is acidic because selenium is a non-metal.
04
Compare Basicity
Among metals, the oxides of elements lower in oxidation states (like Bi鈧冣伜 in Bi鈧侽鈧) tend to be more basic than those in higher oxidation states (like Al鲁鈦 in Al鈧侽鈧). Sb鈧侽鈧 is also basic, but Bi鈧侽鈧 is considered more basic due to its larger size and lower electronegativity.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Acidic oxides
Acidic oxides are intriguing chemical compounds, primarily formed by the oxidation of non-metal elements. These types of oxides can react with bases to form salts and water, showcasing their acidic nature. A classic example is carbon dioxide (
CO鈧
), which reacts with limewater (a base,
Ca(OH)鈧
) to produce calcium carbonate (
CaCO鈧
) and water. When a non-metal gains oxygen atoms, forming an acidic oxide, it tends to increase its oxidation state.
- Typically, non-metal oxides exhibit higher electronegativity, which contributes to their acidic characteristics.
- Sulfur dioxide ( SO鈧 ) and nitrogen dioxide ( NO鈧 ) are other common acidic oxides that participate actively in atmospheric reactions.
- Their acidic behavior is evident in environmental phenomena like acid rain, where these oxides interact with water droplets in the atmosphere, forming acids.
Metal and non-metal oxides
Oxides, being compounds of oxygen with other elements, can be broadly classified based on their parent element into metal and non-metal oxides. Metal oxides, most commonly found with metals from Groups 1 and 2 of the periodic table, usually exhibit basic properties. They tend to react with acids to form salts and water.
When studied closely, the differing properties of metal and non-metal oxides reveal a great deal about the reactivity and nature of the elements involved. For example, metal oxides usually have ionic bonds, whereas non-metal oxides often have covalent bonds.
- For instance, calcium oxide ( CaO ), a metal oxide, reacts with hydrochloric acid ( HCl ) to form calcium chloride ( CaCl鈧 ) and water.
- Meanwhile, non-metal oxides, such as carbon dioxide, typically display acidic traits as discussed earlier.
When studied closely, the differing properties of metal and non-metal oxides reveal a great deal about the reactivity and nature of the elements involved. For example, metal oxides usually have ionic bonds, whereas non-metal oxides often have covalent bonds.
Amphoteric behavior
Amphoteric oxides possess a fascinating dual nature, allowing them to behave both as acids and bases depending on their chemical environment. This duality means they can react with both acids and bases to form salts and water.
Understanding the unique dual reactive nature of amphoteric oxides expands our comprehension of chemical reactivity and serves practical purposes in various chemical processes.
- Aluminum oxide ( Al鈧侽鈧 ) exemplifies this behavior effectively; when reacting with an acid, it forms aluminum chloride ( AlCl鈧 ) and water, while with a base, it generates sodium aluminate ( NaAlO鈧 ).
- Such behavior is not confined to aluminum; other metal oxides like zinc oxide ( ZnO ) also exhibit amphoteric characteristics.
Understanding the unique dual reactive nature of amphoteric oxides expands our comprehension of chemical reactivity and serves practical purposes in various chemical processes.
Periodic table groups
Understanding the periodic table groups is essential in predicting the chemical behavior of elements and their oxides. Elements within the same group typically exhibit similar properties, owing to their similar electronic configurations. Groups 1 and 2, situated on the far left of the periodic table, contain the alkali and alkaline earth metals. These metals are generally reactive and form basic oxides.
- As you move across the periodic table, from left to right, metal oxides transition from basic to acidic. This demonstrates a gradual change in chemical behavior.
- In the same vein, non-metals, found on the far right, form acidic oxides due to their high electronegativities and greater tendency to attract electrons.
- The central block, containing elements like aluminum, features oxides with amphoteric properties, blending both acidic and basic features.