Amphoteric oxides and hydroxides react with an ............ to give salt and water only.

Options

A. Base, Alkali
B. Acid, Alkali
C. Acid, Base
D. None of these

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Amphoteric Oxides and Hydroxides:**
- Amphoteric oxides and hydroxides are substances that can react with both acids and bases. This means they have the ability to act as either an acid or a base depending on the reaction conditions.

2. **Identifying the Reaction:**
- When amphoteric oxides or hydroxides react with an acid, they produce a salt and water. Similarly, when they react with a base, they also produce a salt and water.

3. **Example of Reaction with an Acid:**
- Consider zinc oxide (ZnO), which is an amphoteric oxide.
- When zinc oxide reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl), the reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{ZnO} + 2 \text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{ZnCl}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]
- In this reaction, zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) is the salt formed along with water.

4. **Example of Reaction with a Base:**
- Zinc oxide can also react with a base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{ZnO} + 2 \text{NaOH} + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Na}_2\text{Zn(OH)}_4 \]
- Here, sodium zincate is formed as the salt along with water.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, amphoteric oxides and hydroxides react with acids and bases to produce salts and water. The answer to the question is that they react with an **acid** and a **base**.

**Final Answer:**
Amphoteric oxides and hydroxides react with an **acid** and a **base** to give salt and water.

---