Question

Is Zinc oxide acidic or basic?

Answer 1

Oxides and their nature:

1. Oxides are formed when an element reacts with oxygen to form a new compound.
2. When a non-metal combines with oxygen, acidic oxides are formed. Acidic oxides react with water to generate aqueous acids.
3. Covalent bonds bind oxygen, hydrogen, and non-metal atoms together in these acid compounds.
4. When oxygen combines with metals, basic oxides are produced. Because of the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and metals, most basic oxides are ionic in nature.
5. These oxides react vigorously with water, forming basic compounds. When these oxides react with acids, they produce salt and water.
6. Even though Zinc oxide is a metal oxide, it is not a basic oxide. Because it is an amphoteric oxide, it shows the properties of both acid and base.
7. $\underset{\mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{oxide}}{\mathrm{ZnO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Hydrochloric}\mathrm{acid}}{2\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{chloride}}{{\mathrm{ZnCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}$ (Basic nature)
8. $\underset{\mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{oxide}}{\mathrm{ZnO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Hydroxide}}{2\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{zincate}}{{\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{ZnO}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}$(Acidic nature)

Therefore, Zinc oxide is amphoteric in nature.