CAIE IGCSE Chemistry Acidic Basic Amphoteric and Neutral Oxides

Practise classifying oxides from element type and reactions with acids or bases, then predicting products and distinguishing amphoteric or neutral behaviour.

Exam points

classify common metal oxides as basic and common non-metal oxides as acidic from reactions
identify aluminium oxide and zinc oxide as amphoteric because they react with acids and bases
distinguish neutral oxides such as carbon monoxide from acidic, basic and amphoteric examples

Covered syllabus points

7.2.1—Classify oxides as acidic 7.2.2—Amphoteric oxides as oxides that react 7.2.3—Classify Al 2O3 and ZnO as amphoteric

[Maximum number: 2]

Iron ore contains iron(III) oxide, $\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}$ . A blast furnace is used to extract iron from $\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}$ .
Equations for some of the reactions in the blast furnace are shown.

$equation $1 \mathrm{C}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}$$

$equation $2 \mathrm{CaCO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{CO}_{2}$$

$equation $3 \quad \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{SiO}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaSiO}_{3}$$

Explain why the reaction in equation 3 can be described as an acid-base reaction.

M1 CaO is basic

M2 $\mathrm{SiO}_{2}$ is acidic

[Maximum number: 2]

Solid sodium hydroxide is a base which dissolves to form an aqueous solution, NaOH(aq).

(a)

Some metal oxides react with NaOH(aq).

[ 2 ]

(i)

State the term given to metal oxides which react with bases such as NaOH(aq).

[ 1 ]

(ii)

Name a metal oxide which reacts with NaOH(aq).

[ 1 ]

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Covered syllabus points

7.2 Oxides question 1

7.2 Oxides question 2

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)