Question

Amphoteric oxides are _______ oxides that show both acidic and basic properties.

Answer 1

• Oxides are compounds that are made up of oxygen and one more element.
• For example, Oxygen and Sodium, Oxygen and Carbon, etc.
• Classification of oxides-
• Non-metallic oxides- Oxides of non-metals are called non-metallic oxides.
• They are acidic oxides and react with water to produce an acid that turns blue litmus red.
• Example- Carbon dioxide(CO₂), Sulphur dioxide(SO₂), etc.
• Metallic oxides- Oxides of metals are called metallic oxides.
• They are basic oxides and react with water to produce a base that turns red litmus blue.
• Example- Sodium oxide(Na₂O), Potassium oxide(K₂O), etc.
• Amphoteric oxides- These are metallic oxides that show the property of acidic oxides as well as basic oxides.
• Example- Zinc oxides(ZnO), Aluminum oxides(Al₂O₃), etc.
• Neutral oxides- These are some non-metallic oxides that show neither the properties of acidic oxides nor the basic oxides.
• Example- Water(H₂O), Carbon monoxide(CO), etc.

Hence, Amphoteric oxides are metallic oxides that show both acidic and basic properties.