Question

What happens when an acid reacts with a metal oxide? Explain with the help of an example. Write a balanced equation for the reaction involved.

Answer 1

Acids react with metal oxides to form salt and water.

\[\ce{Metal oxide + Acid -> Salt + Water}\]

Example:

Copper (II) oxide is a metal oxide. Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with copper (II) oxide to form copper (II) chloride and water.

\[\ce{\underset{(Black)}{\underset{Copper (II) oxide}{CuO_{(s)}}} + \underset{Hydrochloric acid}{2HCl_{(aq)}} -> \underset{(Blue-green)}{\underset{Copper (II) chloride}{CuCl2_{(aq)}}} + \underset{Water}{H2O_{(l)}}}\]