What the oxides say
Basic oxides and acidic oxides.
A better way to sort
Physical properties have exceptions, so we need another way to tell metals from non-metals.
Which kind of property classifies elements more clearly?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Elements are classified more clearly by chemical properties: most metals give rise to basic oxides, while most non-metals produce acidic oxides when dissolved in water.
A better way to sort
Physical properties have exceptions, so we need another way to tell metals from non-metals.
Which kind of property classifies elements more clearly?
- Chemical properties
- Only the colour
- Only the weight
Two kinds of oxide
Press Next step.
Chemical properties sort better
Physical properties have exceptions. Chemical properties sort elements more clearly. Most metals give basic oxides. Most non-metals produce acidic oxides when they are dissolved in water.
Elements are classified more clearly by chemical properties: most metals give rise to basic oxides, while most non-metals produce acidic oxides when dissolved in water.
Notes
Most metals give basic oxides; most non-metals produce acidic oxides when dissolved in water.
Check yourself
Most metals give rise to ... oxides.
Most non-metals produce ... oxides when dissolved in water.
Elements can be classified more clearly as metals and non-metals by their ...
- acidic. Most non-metals, not most metals, give acidic oxides.
- amphoteric. Amphoteric oxides are special cases like aluminium oxide; most metals give basic oxides.
- basic — correct. Yes!
- acidic — correct. Yes!
- basic. Basic oxides come from most metals.
- neutral. The book says most non-metals produce acidic oxides when dissolved in water.
- colour alone. Colour is a physical property, and physical properties have many exceptions.
- chemical properties — correct. Yes!
- physical properties alone. Physical properties alone have many exceptions, so the book points to chemical properties.