Question

Fill in the blanks. Metallic oxides are either____ or ____ in nature.

Short answer

Answer: The two types of metallic oxides are "basic" and "acidic" in nature.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the types of metallic oxides

Metallic oxides are generally classified based on their acidic or basic properties. An oxide that reacts with an acid to form a salt and water is considered basic, whereas an oxide that reacts with a base to form a salt and water is considered acidic.

Fill in the blanks

Based on the classification of metallic oxides from Step 1, we can fill in the blanks with the two types of metallic oxides. Metallic oxides are either "basic" or "acidic" in nature.

Key concepts

Acidic Metallic Oxides

Acidic metallic oxides are a fascinating category of compounds that behave like acids. These oxides typically come from nonmetals or metalloids that have a higher electronegativity. When these oxides are dissolved in water, they form acidic solutions by donating protons (H⁺ ions) or reacting with water to produce an acid. This means they can react with bases to form salts and water.

One of the most common examples of an acidic metallic oxide is sulfur dioxide (\( \text{SO}_2 \)), which forms sulfurous acid (\( \text{H}_2\text{SO}_3 \)) when dissolved in water. These reactions are important in the creation of acids such as sulfuric acid, which is used widely in industries. Additionally, acidic metallic oxides play a role in environmental issues like acid rain.

Remember:

• Acidic metallic oxides form acids in water.
• They generally react with bases to produce salts and water.
• Most are derived from nonmetals or metalloids.

Basic Metallic Oxides

Basic metallic oxides, as the name suggests, are the opposite of acidic oxides. These are compounds that react with acids to form salts and water, showcasing their basic nature. Typically, metallic oxides are derived from metals with a lower electronegativity. Their ability to neutralize acids is what classifies them as basic.

For example, magnesium oxide (\( \text{MgO} \)) is a basic metallic oxide. When it reacts with hydrochloric acid (\( \text{HCl} \)), they form magnesium chloride (\( \text{MgCl}_2 \)) and water. Many basic oxides are formed from the oxidation of metals and are commonly found in the Earth's crust. Some, like calcium oxide (\( \text{CaO} \)), are important in industrial processes for things like cement and lime production.

Key points to remember:

• Basic metallic oxides form bases in water.
• They react with acids to produce salts and water.
• They are generally derived from metals.

Properties of Oxides

Understanding the properties of oxides is key to predicting their behavior in chemical reactions and their application in various fields. Oxides can be broadly categorized by their reaction to acids and bases, leading to their classification as either acidic, basic, or even amphoteric (showing both acidic and basic characteristics).

Basic properties of oxides include:

• **Acidic Oxides**: Tend to be formed by nonmetals or elements with high electronegativity. They form acids when combined with water.
• **Basic Oxides**: Typically originate from metals with low electronegativity. These react with acids to form salts and water.
• **Amphoteric Oxides**: These can behave as either acidic or basic, depending on the reaction partner. An example of this is aluminum oxide (\( \text{Al}_2\text{O}_3 \)).

This classification helps in anticipating the behavior of specific oxides when involved in chemical reactions.