The oxide of which element below can react with hydrochloric acid?

Question

A) sulfur
B) selenium
C) sodium
D) carbon
E) nitrogen

Answer 1

A basic or alkaline oxide would be required to react with hydrochloric acid.

Metallic oxides are basic oxides and can thus react with acids. Non metallic oxides are acidic oxides and so cannot react with acids.

Thus, you need to identify the metal from the list of elements.

Metals are found on the left hand side of the Periodic Table while non metals are located on the right.

Sulphur, Selenium, Carbon and Nitrogen are found on the right hand side of the Periodic Table and are thus non metals. They would form acidic oxides which would not react with hydrochloric acid.

Sodium is found on the left hand side of the Periodic Table and is a metal. It forms a basic oxide which can react with hydrochloric acid.

Thus, the answer is sodium.

Answer 2

Na2O is a basic oxide which can react with HCl.

Answer 3

Sulfur - H2SO4