Determine whether each of the following oxides is acidic bas

Determine whether each of the following oxides is acidic, basic, or amphoteric. Use balanced chemical equations to support your answer.

(A) MgO (B) SO₃ (C) Ga₂O₃ (D) Na₂O (E) H₂O (F) P₄O₁₀

Solution

Basic oxides will produce hydroxide ions when treated with water.

Acidic oxides will produce Hydrogen ions when treated with water.

(A) Basic oxide

MgO (s) + H₂O (l) ----------> Mg(OH)₂ (aq.) Magnesium hydroxide

(B) Acidic oxide

SO₃ (g) + H₂O (l) --------------> H₂SO₄ (aq.) Sulphuric acid

(C) Basic oxide

Ga₂O₃ (s) + 3 H₂O (l) -----------> 2 Ga(OH)₃ (aq.)      Gallium hydroxide

(D) Basic oxide

Na₂O (s) + H₂O (l) -----------> 2 NaOH (aq.)   SOdium hydroxide

(E) When it is alone, acts as neutral.

But it acts as base when treated with acids and acid when treated with bases. Henc it is amphoteric.

(F) Acidic oxide

P₄O₁₀ (s) + 6 H₂O (l) -----------> 4 H₃PO₄ (aq.) Phosphoric acid