Looking for classes? Ksquare Career Institute, Bengaluru →
Which of the following oxides is amphoteric?
A
$SiO_2$
B
$CO_2$
C
$SnO_2$
D
CaO
Detailed Solution
An amphoteric oxide reacts with both acids and bases.
Among the dioxides of group 14, $CO_2$, $SiO_2$ and $GeO_2$ are acidic, whereas $SnO_2$ and $PbO_2$ are amphoteric.
$SnO_2$ reacts with a base: $SnO_2 + 2NaOH \rightarrow Na_2SnO_3 + H_2O$
$SnO_2$ reacts with an acid: $SnO_2 + 4HCl \rightarrow SnCl_4 + 2H_2O$
CaO is the oxide of an alkaline earth metal and is basic.
Hence the amphoteric oxide is $SnO_2$.
Among the dioxides of group 14, $CO_2$, $SiO_2$ and $GeO_2$ are acidic, whereas $SnO_2$ and $PbO_2$ are amphoteric.
$SnO_2$ reacts with a base: $SnO_2 + 2NaOH \rightarrow Na_2SnO_3 + H_2O$
$SnO_2$ reacts with an acid: $SnO_2 + 4HCl \rightarrow SnCl_4 + 2H_2O$
CaO is the oxide of an alkaline earth metal and is basic.
Hence the amphoteric oxide is $SnO_2$.