Question

Which of the following is strongest acidic oxide?
A. ${\text{S}}{{\text{b}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$
B. ${{\text{P}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}}$
C. ${\text{S}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$
D. ${\text{S}}{{\text{O}}_3}$

Answer 1

There are different types of oxide. The acidic oxide is defined as the oxide which tends to combine with the water so that it can form acid. Generally we see the non metals which react with oxygen to form the oxides which are acidic and are held by the covalent bonds. They are also known as acid anhydrides.

Complete step by step answer:
As we know on going down the atomic size of the element increases as its atomic number increases and the addition of 1 shell is there on each increasing group. The electronegativity factor has been seen decreasing down the group because the outermost electrons are not able to be closely bonded to the nucleus as they have more shells so the interaction or attraction between them is less. The metallic character increases down the group as the outermost electrons are away from the nucleus so they will easily be removed from the shell thereby forming the cation. Due to all this factor the acidic character decreases down the group as the metal is electropositive so it will form more basic oxide thereby decreasing the acidic character. So the ${{\text{P}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{5}}}$ is the strongest acidic oxide.

So, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: The other type of oxide is basic oxide which is formed when metals react with the oxygen to give compounds of oxygen which are basic. They are generally ionic in nature. The other is amphoteric oxide which has both acidic and basic character in it. On reaction with acid they undergo neutralisation reaction.