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

1 Answer
Apr 27, 2018

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