Question

The elements which forms neutral as well as acidic oxide is (1) Sn (2) \(\mathrm{Si}\) (3) \(\mathrm{C}\) (4) \(\mathrm{Pb}\)

Short answer

C (Carbon)

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Terminology

Identify what is meant by 'neutral oxide' and 'acidic oxide'. Neutral oxides do not react with acids or bases, while acidic oxides react with water to form acids.

Evaluate the Elements

Examine each given element (Sn, Si, C, Pb) to see if they form neutral and/or acidic oxides.

Analyze Tin (Sn)

Tin forms oxides such as SnO (neutral) and SnO₂ (amphoteric, but not acidic).

Analyze Silicon (Si)

Silicon forms silicon dioxide (SiO₂), which is an acidic oxide.

Analyze Carbon (C)

Carbon forms carbon dioxide (CO₂), an acidic oxide, and carbon monoxide (CO), a neutral oxide.

Analyze Lead (Pb)

Lead forms oxides such as PbO and PbO₂, both of which do not classify as strictly neutral or acidic oxides.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, the element that forms both a neutral and an acidic oxide is Carbon (C).

Key concepts

Neutral Oxides

Neutral oxides are special types of oxides that don't react with either acids or bases. This makes them unique in the world of chemistry. Some common examples of neutral oxides are carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
These oxides typically result from the combustion or oxidation of elements, but they don't show typical acid-base behavior. When studying different elements and their oxides, it's essential to understand why these neutral oxides behave the way they do. The chemical inertness often stems from the balanced electron configuration, which doesn't favor gaining or losing electrons during reactions with acids or bases.

Acidic Oxides

Acidic oxides are oxides that react with water to form acids. For instance, when carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). Similarly, sulfur trioxide (SO₃) reacts with water to produce sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
These oxides are typically formed by non-metals and are also known for their ability to react with bases to form salts and water. Understanding acidic oxides involves recognizing their tendency to accept electrons during chemical reactions. This behavior is closely linked to the electronegativity of the non-metals from which these oxides are formed. Moreover, it's interesting to note that acidic oxides often play a significant role in environmental chemistry, contributing to phenomena such as acid rain.

Element Analysis

Analyzing elements involves looking at their chemical behavior, especially their ability to form various types of oxides. For instance, tin (Sn) forms SnO (neutral oxide) and SnO₂ (amphoteric oxide), but not an acidic oxide.
Silicon (Si) forms silicon dioxide (SiO₂), which is an acidic oxide. Another crucial example is carbon (C), which forms both carbon dioxide (CO₂), an acidic oxide, and carbon monoxide (CO), a neutral oxide. Lastly, lead (Pb) forms oxides like PbO and PbO₂, which do not fit strictly into the neutral or acidic oxide categories.
Understanding these behaviors helps predict the chemical properties and reactivity of the elements. Such insights are fundamental for applications in materials science, environmental science, and industrial processes. Remember, the ability of an element to form different types of oxides often hinges on its electronic structure and position in the periodic table.