Question

What name is given to those metal oxides which show basic as well as acidic behaviour?

Answer 1

SODIUM OXIDE

POTASSIUM OXIDE

Answer 2

Metal oxides which shows basic as well as acidic behaviour as known as amphoteric oxides.

Explanation:

• To produce water and salt, those which can react with both acids and base are commonly called as amphoteric oxides.
• Amphoteric oxides and hydroxides have the property that they can act as acids. It can act as an acid or base. In general, non-metallic oxides are acidic and metal oxides are alkaline.
• Metal oxides that are both basic and acidic are called amphoteric oxides. The elements forming amphoteric oxides have some metal properties and some non-metals. Examples: Zinc oxide and Aluminium oxide.

        $ZnO(s) + 2NaOH(a) → Na_2 ZnO_2 (aq) + H_2 O(l)$

       $Al_2 O_3 (s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl_3 (aq) + 3H_2 O(l)$.