O Level Chemistry – Types of Oxides

27 Aug

Posted by: sean in: Chemistry Notes & Tips

This is another section in O Level Chemistry where students find it tough to comprehend. Lets reveal the Secrets here.

An oxide is a compound of Oxygen and another element (e.g. through the process of Combustion)

• Metals form Metal Oxides and Non-Metals form Non-Metal Oxides

• Oxides can be classified as either Acidic, Basic, Amphoteric or Neutral

• Nature of the oxides of the elements across the periodic table from left to right changes from Basic –> Amphoteric –> Acidic

ACIDIC OXIDES

Examples:
SO2, SO3, CO2, NO2

Properties:
1. Do not react with acids.
2. React with bases and alkalis to form salt & water.
3. Dissolve in water to form acidic solutions.
4. Usually gases at room temp.

BASIC OXIDES

Examples:
Na2O, CaO, MgO, FeO, CuO

Properties:
1. Do not react with bases.
2. React with acids to form salt & water.
3. Basic Oxides are usually insoluble in water. Those that dissolve in water forms alkaline solutions.

NEUTRAL OXIDES

Examples:
CO, NO, H2O

Properties:
1. Neutral pH

AMPHOTERIC OXIDES

Examples:
Oxides formed with metals near “STEPS” such as ZnO, Al2O3, PbO,

Properties:
1. React with both acids and bases to form salt & water

For those taking GCE ‘O’ Level syllabus, there are many questions that will come out for this section on Types of Oxides.
Let’s take a look at some exam-based questions.

Quick Check 1:
Which of the following reacts with dilute sulphuric acid to give a gas and water as two of the products?
A. zinc
B. zinc carbonate
C. zinc hydroxide
D. zinc oxide

Quick Check 2:
Which element forms an oxide that reacts with water to give an acidic solution?
A. aluminium
B. sodium
C. sulphur
D. zinc

Quick Check 3:
Which element burns in air to form an oxide which, when shaken with water, gives a solution with a pH greater than 7?
A. carbon
B. hydrogen
C. magnesium
D. sulphur

PS: Do leave your suggested answers in the “Comments Section” directly below this post.

PPS: This post belongs to a series of blogposts that is associated with Secrets of “Acids, Bases & Salts and Qualitative Analysis revelaed”

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7 Responses

Sherman Bok
27|Aug|2008 1

Here are my answers…. not sure correct or not…

1. B because metal carbonate + acid gives salt + carbon dioxide + water

2. A because aluminium is highly polarizing,

3. C since magnesium is a basic oxide

Reply
Gary
30|Aug|2008 2

The second qn should be sulphur since SO2 is acidic in nature.

Reply
Cydnie
31|Aug|2008 3

A. Zinc
C. sulphur
C. magnesium

I agree with the person above me, so I think the Qn.2 should be sulphur.

I also think that Qn.1 should be zinc because (if I’m not wrong) the Qn states that this reaction only forms two products and metal + acid — salt + H2 gas.

Reply
sean Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Hi Cydnie,

Good to see you participating cos “Wanting leads to Wanting, Doing leads to Having”.

These will be my suggested answers:

Question 1:
Ans: B cos question states that they want to see more than 2 products and only carbobate reacts with acid to give 3 products.

Question 2:
Ans: C cos Acidic Oxide are formed when a non-metal combines with oxygen.

Question 3:
Ans: C since Magnesium Oxide is the only Basic Oxide in the list and it will gives a pH higher than 7.

Hope this helps. Let me know if this chemistry blogsite has been helpful in any ways.

Keep Up The Good Work!
Sean =)

Reply
sean
31|Aug|2008 4

Hi Sherman, Gary & Cydnie,

Good to see you participating cos “Wanting leads to Wanting, Doing leads to Having”.

These will be my suggested answers:

Question 1:
Ans: B cos question states that they want to see more than 2 products and only carbobate reacts with acid to give 3 products.

Question 2:
Ans: C cos Acidic Oxide are formed when a non-metal combines with oxygen.

Question 3:
Ans: C since Magnesium Oxide is the only Basic Oxide in the list and it will gives a pH higher than 7.

Hope this helps. Let me know if this chemistry blogsite has been helpful in any ways.

Keep Up The Good Work!
Sean =)

Reply
abdul rehman
10|Apr|2009 5

my first answer is c: zincoxide becouse metaloxide+acid=salt and water always my second answer is S02 becouse its an acidic oxide. my third answer is magnesium couse its a metal and metaloxides are basic. base have a ph above then 7

Reply
sean Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Hi abdul rehman,

Thank you for your participation.

Answer for Q1 is B.
–> Note that question mentioned there will be at least 3 products.

Answer for Q2 is C.
–> you got it. Acidic Oxide indeed.

Answer for Q3 is C.
–> you got it. Cool!

Look forward to more participation from you.

To Your Academic Success in Chemistry,
Sean Chua
Master Trainer & Author
WINNERS Education Group

“Experience Learning with A Difference”

Reply