Question

Three elements, X, Y and Z, are in the same period of the Periodic Table. The oxide of X is amphoteric, the oxide of Y is basic and the oxide of Z is acidic. Which of the following shows the elements arranged in order of increasing atomic number?

A Y, X, Z
B Y, Z, X
C Z, X, Y
D X, Y, Z

Answer 1

Y, X, Z

Explanation:

Oxides of the elements on the left side of the periodic table create basic solutions when dissolved because the oxygen reacts with `H^+` in the water, while the original element leaves `OH^-` in its ionic state, resulting in a higher [`OH^-`] than [`H^+`].

Oxides of the elements on the right side of the periodic table create acidic solutions when dissolved because they react with `OH^-`to create negatively charged polyatomic anions that are stable and remain in their ionic states instead of reacting with `H^+`, resulting in a higher [`H^+`] than [`OH^-`].

Oxides of the elements in the middle of the periodic table create neutral solutions because they react equally with `H^+` and `OH^-` in water, resulting in [`OH^-`] being equal to [`H^+`]

Note that "[]" represents the concentration