Question:
Identify amphoteric oxide from following.
Identify amphoteric oxide from following.
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The most common amphoteric oxides tested in standard chemistry exams are those of Aluminum ($\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3$), Zinc (ZnO), Lead (PbO, $\text{PbO}_2$), and Tin (SnO, $\text{SnO}_2$). Keep this short list memorized!
Updated On: Jun 1, 2026
- $\text{SO}_3$
- $\text{Na}_2\text{O}$
- $\text{N}_2\text{O}$
- $\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3$
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We must identify which of the four given chemical oxides exhibits amphoteric behavior.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
An amphoteric oxide is an oxide that can act as both an acid and a base. It will react and dissolve in both strong acids and strong bases to produce a salt and water.
Generally, metal oxides are basic, non-metal oxides are acidic, and some specific metalloid or intermediate metal oxides are amphoteric.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's classify each of the given oxides:
(A) $\text{SO}_3$ (Sulfur trioxide): Sulfur is a non-metal. Non-metal oxides are typically strongly acidic (dissolving it in water forms sulfuric acid).
(B) $\text{Na}_2\text{O}$ (Sodium oxide): Sodium is an alkali metal. Alkali metal oxides are strongly basic (dissolving it in water forms sodium hydroxide).
(C) $\text{N}_2\text{O}$ (Nitrous oxide): This is a non-metal oxide, but it belongs to a special class of strictly neutral oxides. It does not react with acids or bases.
(D) $\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3$ (Aluminum oxide): Aluminum is a metal with intermediate electronegativity. Its oxide can react with acids (like HCl) to form $\text{Al}^{3+}$ salts, and it can react with bases (like NaOH) to form aluminate ions ($\text{AlO}_2^-$). Therefore, it is amphoteric.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The amphoteric oxide is $\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3$, matching option (D).
We must identify which of the four given chemical oxides exhibits amphoteric behavior.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
An amphoteric oxide is an oxide that can act as both an acid and a base. It will react and dissolve in both strong acids and strong bases to produce a salt and water.
Generally, metal oxides are basic, non-metal oxides are acidic, and some specific metalloid or intermediate metal oxides are amphoteric.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's classify each of the given oxides:
(A) $\text{SO}_3$ (Sulfur trioxide): Sulfur is a non-metal. Non-metal oxides are typically strongly acidic (dissolving it in water forms sulfuric acid).
(B) $\text{Na}_2\text{O}$ (Sodium oxide): Sodium is an alkali metal. Alkali metal oxides are strongly basic (dissolving it in water forms sodium hydroxide).
(C) $\text{N}_2\text{O}$ (Nitrous oxide): This is a non-metal oxide, but it belongs to a special class of strictly neutral oxides. It does not react with acids or bases.
(D) $\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3$ (Aluminum oxide): Aluminum is a metal with intermediate electronegativity. Its oxide can react with acids (like HCl) to form $\text{Al}^{3+}$ salts, and it can react with bases (like NaOH) to form aluminate ions ($\text{AlO}_2^-$). Therefore, it is amphoteric.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The amphoteric oxide is $\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3$, matching option (D).
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