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
Josh Tran
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^+H+ in the water, while the original element leaves OH^-OH− in its ionic state, resulting in a higher [OH^-OH−] than [H^+H+].

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

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

Note that "[]" represents the concentration

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