Chapter 16, Problem 16.110QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

• The chemical properties of oxides change from left to right across a period has to be explained
• The chemical properties of oxides change from top to bottom within a particular group has to be explained

Concept Information:

Oxides of metals and non-metals may be,

Acidic-exhibits acidic character

Basic-exhibits basic character

Amphoteric-exhibits both acidic and basic  character

Neutral-does not exhibit any of the acidic or basic character

Except Beryllium oxide, all the oxides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metal are basic in nature.

None of the oxides of non-metals show basic property.

Oxides of non-metals with higher oxidation number of the main group elements are highly acidic whereas those with lesser oxidation number does not exhibit measurable acidic properties.

Beryllium oxide and many of the metallic oxides of Group 3A and 4A are amphoteric