An element X on reacting with oxygen forms an oxide X2O. This oxide dissolves in water and turns red litmus blue. State whether element X is a metal or a non metal. Explain with proper example.
The solution of oxide turns red litmus blue. This indicates that the oxide is basic in nature.
The element X is very likely to be a metal because most of the oxides of metals are basic.
For example, when sodium oxide is dissolved in water, it produces sodium hydroxide, which is a strong base.
Na2O_+ H2O→2NaOH