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Gas chemistry - (CCEA)Metal and non-metal oxides

The Earth atmosphere is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds. We can prepare samples of common gases such as hydrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the laboratory and examine their properties and reactions.

Part of Chemistry (Single Science)Further chemical reactions, rates and equilibrium, calculations and organic chemistry

Metal and non-metal oxides

Many and react with oxygen in the air when they are heated to produce metal oxides and non-metal oxides.

The table shows three of these reactions in detail.

ElementTypeReaction typeOxideNature
MagnesiumMetalHighly exothermic - magnesium burns with bright white flameMagnesium oxide, MgO - solid white powderBasic
CarbonNon-metalExothermic - carbon glows orange when heated stronglyCarbon dioxide, CO2 - colourless gas with no odour Acidic
SulfurNon-metalBurns slowly with a blue flameSulfur dioxide, SO2 - colourless gas with choking smell Acidic
IronMetalBurns with orange sparksTriiron tetroxide, Fe3O4 鈥 a black, solid powderBasic
CopperMetalGlows red, occasionally with blue-green flameCopper oxide, CuO 鈥 a black, solid powderBasic
ElementMagnesium
TypeMetal
Reaction typeHighly exothermic - magnesium burns with bright white flame
OxideMagnesium oxide, MgO - solid white powder
NatureBasic
ElementCarbon
TypeNon-metal
Reaction typeExothermic - carbon glows orange when heated strongly
OxideCarbon dioxide, CO2 - colourless gas with no odour
NatureAcidic
ElementSulfur
TypeNon-metal
Reaction typeBurns slowly with a blue flame
OxideSulfur dioxide, SO2 - colourless gas with choking smell
NatureAcidic
ElementIron
TypeMetal
Reaction typeBurns with orange sparks
OxideTriiron tetroxide, Fe3O4 鈥 a black, solid powder
NatureBasic
ElementCopper
TypeMetal
Reaction typeGlows red, occasionally with blue-green flame
OxideCopper oxide, CuO 鈥 a black, solid powder
NatureBasic
  • basic oxides react with .
  • acidic oxides react with .
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Carbon dioxide
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Oxygen

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