Question

Which one of the following is a basic oxide:
$N_{ 2 }O_{ 5 }$ (2) $In_{ 2 }O_{ 3 }$
Enter the correct number of the basic oxide.

Answer 1

Hint: Basic oxides are oxides that show basic properties like reacting with water to form a base; or reacting with an acid to form salt and water which are called neutralization reactions. Now try to answer this question accordingly.

Complete step by step answer:
Generally, group 1, 2, and lanthanides form basic compounds of oxygen when they react with dioxygen. During the formation of these compounds, a large amount of energy is released. These compounds readily react with water except a few exceptions.
A general example is: $Na_{ 2 }O\quad +\quad H_{ 2 }O\quad \rightarrow \quad 2NaOH$
$N_{ 2 }O_{ 5 }$ given here is an acidic oxide because it is a non-metallic oxide which is held together by covalent bonds. These compounds can also be called acid anhydrides.

$In_{ 2 }O_{ 3 }$ given here is an amphoteric oxide which exhibits both acidic as well as basic characteristics. These oxides when reacting with acid undergoes a neutralization reaction to form water and salt. This exhibits the basic property of the compounds. Similarly reacts with the alkali to form salt and water, exhibiting acidic property.

Therefore, we can conclude that here the number of basic oxides is zero.

Note: In the group, as we move from top to bottom, the metallic character increases thereby increasing the basicity of oxides. We should know that metals generally form basic oxides, some of which are also amphoteric, such as aluminium oxide, zinc oxide, lead oxide etc.