In unit 8, we looked at reactions of metals and oxygen to form metal oxides. Now we want to use these metal oxides in neutralisation reactions between a base and an an acid.
The most important rule we should know is that when a metal oxide reacts with an acid, a salt and water is formed. The type of salt formed depends on the acid and metal oxide reacting. We can write the general equation as acid + metal = salt and water (Please bear in mind that we use an arrow for chemical reactions and not an equal sign)
Watch the video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqY7kJXc2xE of a neutralisation reaction between magnesium oxide and hydrochloric acid. Comment on the questions below:
- Write the word equation of this reaction.
- Identify the reactants and products in this equation.
- Write the balanced chemical equation of this reaction.
- Is magnesium oxide an acid or a base? Does it have a high pH or a low pH?
- What can we use to accurately test the pH of the reactants and products?