Question

When sodium reacts with oxygen sodium oxide is formed but when sulphur reacts with oxygen sulphur dioxide is formed.So can we say that when metals reacts with oxygen,oxides are formed and when non metal reacts with oxygen dioxides is formed?

Answer 1

1. The formation of oxide and dioxide depends on the oxidation state of the metal/mon-metal and nature of bond.

2. The oxidation state of sodium is +1. Thus it forms Na₂O.

3. While oxidation state of sulfur is +4 so it forms SO₂.