Question

	X	Y
Normal electronic configuration	2, 8,7	2,8, 2
Nature of oxide	Dissolves in water and turns blue litmus red	Very low solubility in water Dissolves in hydrochloric acid
The tendency for Oxidising and reducing reaction	Tends to oxidize elements and compounds	Tends to act as a reducing agent.
Electrical and thermal conductivity	Very poor electrical conductor. Poor thermal conductivity.	Good electrical conductor. Good thermal conductor
Tendency to form alloys and amalgams	No tendency to form alloys form alloys	Form alloys

Using the above information, complete the following:

(ii) Non-metallic elements tend to form $\_\_\_$oxides while metals tend to form $\_\_\_$oxides.

• A. Acidic
• B. Basic

Answer 1

1. X is a non-metal and Y is a metal.
2. It is given that the oxide of X that is non-metal turns blue litmus to red, and the oxide of Y which is a metal dissolves in hydrochloric acid so it is a base.
3. The one that turns blue litmus to red is Acidic while the one which turns red litmus to blue is a base.
4. Non-metallic elements tend to form acidic oxides while metals tend to form basic oxides