Analyse the relationship between the position of elements in the Periodic Table, and the acid–base behaviour of their oxides.
- HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 18 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 18
Analyse the relationship between the position of elements in the Periodic Table, and the acid–base behaviour of their oxides.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Analyse the relationship between the position of elements in the Periodic Table, and the acid–base behaviour of their oxides.
- HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 18 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
Position of Elements in the Periodic Table
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Answer
The Periodic Table arranges elements according to their atomic number, resulting in the arrangement of elements into groups and periods. Elements in the same group often exhibit similar chemical properties. For instance, alkali metals (Group 1) and alkaline earth metals (Group 2) typically form basic oxides, whereas nonmetals (to the right of the table) usually form acidic oxides.
Step 2
Acid–Base Behaviour of Oxides
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Answer
The acid-base behaviour of oxides is influenced by their position in the Periodic Table. Basic oxides, like those from metals, react with acids to produce salts and water. For example, sodium oxide ( ext{Na}_2 ext{O}) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to yield sodium chloride (NaCl) and water. In contrast, nonmetal oxides, like sulfur dioxide ( ext{SO}_2 ext{), are acidic and react with water to form acids, such as sulfurous acid (H}_2 ext{SO}_3).
Step 3
Trends Across Periods
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As one moves across a period in the Periodic Table, the oxides transition from basic to acidic. For instance, moving from sodium oxide to chlorine oxide, we observe such a change. The predominate trend is that metals form basic oxides while nonmetals create acidic oxides.
Step 4
Conclusion
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In summary, the acid-base behaviour of oxides directly correlates with the position of the elements in the Periodic Table. This relationship underlines the predictive nature of the table in understanding the chemical properties of elements and their compounds.