Although metals form basic oxides, which of the following metals form an amphoteric oxide?
(a) Na
(b) Ca
(c) Al
(d) Cu
Ans. (c)
(a) Na - Sodium oxide (Na2O) is a strongly basic oxide.
It contains oxide ion, O2-, which is a very strong base and has a high tendency to combine with hydrogen ions.
(b) Ca - Calcium oxide (CaO) is basic in nature. It dissolves in water to form calcium hydroxide
(c) Al - Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) shows basic as well as acidic behavior hence it is called an amphoteric oxide.
(d) Cu - Copper(II) oxide or cupric oxide (CuO)
Copper(I) oxide or cuprous oxide (Cu2O)
Both are basic in nature
Therefore option (c) is correct