PET 2026 · Science

Oxides: acidic, basic and amphoteric

Classify oxides by how they react with acids and bases

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Oxides: acidic, basic and amphoteric

Classify oxides by how they react with acids and bases

Comparison
Chemical nature of oxides

Basic oxides (mostly metallic)

  • Formed by most metals in low-to-moderate oxidation states: Na₂O, K₂O, CaO, MgO.
  • React with acids to form salt and water: MgO + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂O.
  • Some basic oxides react with water to form hydroxides: CaO + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂.

Acidic oxides (mostly non-metallic)

  • Formed by non-metals (CO₂, SO₂, SO₃, P₄O₁₀) and some high-valence metals (CrO₃).
  • React with bases to form salt and water: CO₂ + Ca(OH)₂ → CaCO₃ + H₂O.
  • Some react with water to form oxyacids: SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄.

Amphoteric oxides (dual nature)

  • Amphoteric oxides show both acid and base behaviour; examples include Al₂O₃ and ZnO.
  • Al₂O₃ as a base with acid: Al₂O₃ + 6HCl → 2AlCl₃ + 3H₂O.
  • With strong base under suitable conditions: Al₂O₃ + 2NaOH → 2NaAlO₂ + H₂O.

Neutral oxides and periodic trend

  • Neutral oxides such as CO do not show the usual acid–base oxide behaviour.
  • Across a period (left to right), oxides shift: basic → amphoteric → acidic.
  • Test chemical behaviour with acid and base rather than assuming all non-metals match.
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25 Oct · Shift 2 · 2026

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