You are provided with magnesium ribbon and sulphur prowder. Explain with the help of an activity that metal oxides are basic and oxides of non-metals are acidic.

Explanation

Clean the surface of the magnesium ribbon. Hold it in a pair of tongs and burn in air. Collect the white ash formed in a china dish. Transfer it in a test tuve and dissolved in water. Dip a red litmus paper strip in the solution. It willl change to blue showing that the metal oxides are of basic nature. The chemical equations involved are ,
`2Mg(s)+O_(2)(g)overset("heat")tounderset("Magnesium oxide")(2MgO(s))`
`MgO(s)+H_(2)O(aq)toMg(OH)_(2)(aq)`
Similarly, heat the sulphur powder on a spatual. When it starts burning, immediately dip it in a test tube containing water. Now dip a blue litmus paper in the soltion. It will immediately acquire red colour. This shows that oxides of non-metals are acidic in natue.
`S(s)+O_(2)(g)overset("heat")toSO_(2)(g)`
`SO_(2)(g)+H_(2)O(aq)toH_(2)SO_(3)(aq)`