Which of the following oxides decomposes on heating?

Z n O

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H g O

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A l_{2} O_{3}

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N a_{2} O

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Solution

The correct option is B $H g O$
Metal oxides are highly stable, and many decompose only at very high temperatures.

Clearly, the one with the burning splint has $O_{2}$ present, so it must decompose at a lower temperature than the other. The other oxide didn't decompose to the elements at all.

$H g O$ decomposes to Hg and $O_{2}$ gas at about $450^{0} C$ well below the temperature of a laboratory burn flame, but $Z n O$ does not reduce at $1000^{0} C$ and requires carbon reduction to produce the metal and oxygen gas. Aluminium oxide does not decompose even at $2000^{0} C$ and requires chemical intervention to reduce it to the elements.

Hence, option $B$ is correct.

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