The correct option is **C. Amphoteric Oxide**. ### Detailed Explanation: 1. **Understanding Oxides**: Oxides are compounds formed when elements react with oxygen. They can be classified based on their chemical behavior with acids and bases into four categories: basic oxides, acidic oxides, amphoteric oxides, and neutral oxides. 2. **Basic Oxides**: These are oxides that react with acids to form salts and water. They are typically metal oxides, such as sodium oxide (Na₂O) and magnesium oxide (MgO). Basic oxides do not react with bases. 3. **Acidic Oxides**: These oxides react with bases to form salts and water. They are usually non-metal oxides, such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Acidic oxides do not react with acids. 4. **Neutral Oxides**: These oxides do not exhibit acidic or basic properties. They do not react with either acids or bases. Examples include carbon monoxide (CO) and water (H₂O). 5. **Amphoteric Oxides**: These oxides can react with both acids and bases, exhibiting both acidic and basic properties. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a classic example of an amphoteric oxide. ### Why Zinc Oxide is Amphoteric: - **Reaction with Acids**: When zinc oxide reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl), it forms zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) and water: \[ \text{ZnO} + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{ZnCl}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \] This shows that ZnO can behave as a base. - **Reaction with Bases**: When zinc oxide reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the presence of water, it forms sodium zincate (Na₂[Zn(OH)₄]): \[ \text{ZnO} + 2\text{NaOH} + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Na}_2[\text{Zn(OH)}_4] \] This demonstrates that ZnO can also behave as an acid. ### Why the Other Options are Incorrect: - **Option A: Basic Oxide**: While zinc oxide does have basic properties, it is not exclusively a basic oxide because it can also react with bases. Therefore, it cannot be classified solely as a basic oxide. - **Option B: Acidic Oxide**: Zinc oxide does not behave like an acidic oxide since it does not react with acids to produce acidic products exclusively. It can react with acids, but it also reacts with bases, which is not characteristic of acidic oxides. - **Option D: Neutral Oxide**: Zinc oxide is not a neutral oxide because it does react with both acids and bases. Neutral oxides do not participate in such reactions, which distinguishes them from amphoteric oxides. ### Summary: - Zinc oxide (ZnO) is classified as an **amphoteric oxide** because it can react with both acids and bases. - It demonstrates basic properties by reacting with acids and acidic properties by reacting with bases. - Understanding the classification of oxides is crucial for predicting their behavior in chemical reactions. ### Revision Points: - **Amphoteric Oxides** can react with both acids and bases. - **Basic Oxides** react only with acids; **Acidic Oxides** react only with bases. - **Neutral Oxides** do not react with either acids or bases. - Zinc oxide is a key example of an amphoteric oxide, showcasing its dual reactivity.