Question

Identify the element that forms amphoteric oxide.
A. Carbon
B. Zinc
C. Calcium
D. Sulfur

Answer 1

Hint: Remember the nature and chemical properties of amphoteric oxides and the elements mentioned in the option to identify the element that reacts to the elements mentioned in the option with acid and base for example HCl or NaOH.

Complete answer:
We recognize that these elements combine with acid and base to form salt and water as well as amphoteric oxides, and zinc is the element that forms the amphoteric metal oxides. ZnO reacts with both acid and bases.
Let’s react ZnO with HCL
$ZnO + 2HCL \to ZnC{l_2} + {H_2}O$
Now reacting ZnO with NaOH
$ZnO + 2NaOH \to N{a_2}Zn{O_2} + {H_2}O$
Therefore, Zinc is the element which forms amphoteric oxides.

Hence, B is the correct option.

Note: Amphoteric oxides and hydroxides can behave as acids. An amphoteric oxide may behave as an acid or as a base. Non-metallic oxides are acidic in general and basic metal oxides. The basic and acidic nature of metallic oxides is considered as amphoteric oxides. Amphoteric oxides contain elements that have both metal and non-metal characteristics. Amphoteric oxides have some metal and non-metal properties. For acids and alkalis, amphoteric oxides lead to the formation of water and salt. Zinc oxide and aluminum oxide are examples of the amphoteric oxides.