An element reacts with oxygen to form an oxide which dissolves in dilute hydrochloric acid. The oxide formed also turns a solution of red litmus blue. Is the element a metal or a non-metal? Explain your answer.

Explanation

Here the oxide of given element dissolves in an acid, therefore, the oxide must be basic in nature. Since, the oxide turns red litmus solution to blue, this also confirms that the oxide is basic in nature. Now, basic oxides are formed by metals, so the element in this case is a metal.