Question

Metal oxides which react with both acids and bases to produce salt and water are known as:

• A. non-metals
• B. amphoteric oxides
• C. basic oxides
• D. acidic oxides

Answer 1

The correct option is B amphoteric oxides

Amphoteric oxides are oxides which either donate or accept a proton.

Hence these metal oxides react with both acids and bases to form salt and water.

The best example is that of $A{l}_2{O}_3$.

$A{l}_2{O}_3+2NaOH\to 2NaAl{O}_2+H_{2}O$

$A{l}_2{O}_3+6HCl\to 2AlC{l}_3+3H_{2}O$