Question

Are metal oxides acidic?

Answer 1

• No, metal oxides are not acidic. Metal oxides are crystalline solid that contains a metal cation and oxide anion. Metallic oxides are basic because they react with dilute acids to form salt and water.
• They also react with water to produce metal hydroxides which are alkaline because these metal hydroxides release hydroxide ions in the reaction medium.
• An example is shown below:
• $\mathrm{CaO}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\to \mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2$