You are provided with magnesium ribbon and sulphur prowder. Explain with the help of an activity that metal oxides are basic and oxides of non-metals are acidic.

You are provided with magnesium ribbon and sulphur prowder. Explain wi

1.	You are provided with magnesium ribbon and sulphur prowder. Explain with the help of an activity that metal oxides are basic and oxides of non-metals are acidic.
Answer» Solution :Clean the SURFACE of the magnesium ribbon. Hold it in a pair of tongs and BURN in air. Collect the white ash formed in a china DISH. Transfer it in a test tuve and dissolved in water. Dip a red litmus paper strip in the solution. It willl change to blue showing that the metal oxides are of basic nature. The chemical equations involved are , `2Mg(s)+O_(2)(g)overset("heat")tounderset("Magnesium oxide")(2MgO(s))` `MgO(s)+H_(2)O(aq)toMg(OH)_(2)(aq)` Similarly, heat the sulphur powder on a spatual. When it starts burning, immediately dip it in a test tube CONTAINING water. Now dip a blue litmus paper in the SOLTION. It will immediately acquire red colour. This shows that oxides of non-metals are acidic in natue. `S(s)+O_(2)(g)overset("heat")toSO_(2)(g)` `SO_(2)(g)+H_(2)O(aq)toH_(2)SO_(3)(aq)`