Question

Metal hydroxides and metal oxides are called bases. Explain and support your answer by balanced chemical equations.

Answer 1

What are metal hydroxides ?

Metal hydroxides are compounds which consist of a metal and OH- ions or an hydroxyl ion combined.

Example : $NaOH$

What are metal oxides ?

Metal oxides are compounds which consist of metal and oxygen combined together .

Example: $Na_{2}O$

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Why they are bases ?

Base is a compound which react with hydrogen ions of an acid to form water and salt.

$HCl$  is an acid .

$Na_{2}O\:+2HCl\:\implies\:2NaCl\:+\:H_{2}O$

As an acid HCl reacts with $\bf{Na_{2}O}$ to give a salt NaCl and water , it has to be a base .

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$NaOH\:+HCl\:\implies\:NaCl\:+\:H_{2}O$

As an acid HCl reacts with NaOH to give a salt NaCl and water , it has to be a base .

This proves that all metal oxides and hydroxides are bases.

You can repeat the experiment with other metals other than Na.

Hope it helps you:-)

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