You are provided with magnesium ribbon and sulphur powder. Explain with the help of an activity that metal oxides are basic and non metal oxide are acidic in nature.

Explanation

To test the nature of oxides formed by metals and non metals. Materials required sulphur powder, Mg ribbon, water, blue litmus paper, red litmus paper
Procedure:
Take a magnesium ribbon with a pair of tongs and burn it in flame in the presence of air.
Collect the product formed and dissolve it in ward water.
Add red litmus paper into it.
Observe the change in colour and decide the nature of the oxide formed.
Burn sulphur in a deflagrating spoon in the presence of air and disolve the oxide formed in water.
Dip blue litmus paper into the solution and observe the change in the colour and decide the nature of the oxide formed.
Observation: The oxide formed by meal turns red litmus blue whereas oxide of non metal turns blue litmus red.
Chemical reactions:
`2Mg(s)+O_(2)(g)overset("burning")(to)2MgO(g)`
`S(s)+O_(2)(g)toSO_(2)(g)`
`SO_(2)(g)+H_(2)O(1)toH_(2)SO_(3)(aq)`
Conclusion: Most of the metallic oxides are basic in nature whereas most the non metallic oxides are acidic in nature.