Question

A substance X, which is an oxide of a group 2 element, is used intensively in the cement industry. This element is present in bones also. On treatment with water it forms a solution which turns red litmus blue. Identify X and also write the chemical reactions involved.

Answer 1

The available information suggests that the substance A’ is oxide of the element calcium (Ca) which is present in group 2 of the periodic table. Calcium is also a constituent of our bones in the form of calcium phosphate. . Calcium oxide (CaO) reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide (basic in nature). It forms a basic solution which turns red litmus blue.

`"CaO"("s") + "H"_2"O"("aq") -> underset("Basic  Solution")("Ca"("OH")_2("aq"))`