Question

Explain the statement metal oxides are basic in nature

Answer 1

Metal oxides are basic in nature:-

1. Metal oxides are compounds that contain only two elements, one is a metal and another one is an oxygen atom.
2. For example Magnesium oxide ($\mathrm{MgO}$) is an example of metal oxide which is basic in nature.
3. Now the reason behind Magnesium oxide being basic in nature is that when they react with dilute acids then, salt and water are formed as the products.
4. This phenomenon shows us that metal oxides are basic
5. The balanced equation is as follows: $\underset{\mathrm{Magnesium}\mathrm{oxide}}{\mathrm{MgO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{dil}.\mathrm{Hydrochloric}\mathrm{acid}}{2\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Magnesium}\mathrm{chloride}}{{\mathrm{MgCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$

Therefore, metal oxides are basic in nature as they form salt and water as the products when reacted with dilute acids.