Question

Arrange the following oxides in order of increasing acidity.

Answer 1

Answer:

Based on the Modern Periodic table, there is an increase in the electropositivity of the atom down the group as well as increases across a period. On comparing the electropositivities of the mentioned oxides central atom, it is seen that Ca is most electropositive followed by Al, Si, C, P, and S is the least electropositive.  

With the decrease in the electropositivity, there is an increase in the acidity of the oxides. Thus, the increasing order of the oxides from the least acidic to the most acidic is:  

CaO > Al2O3 > SiO2 > CO2 > P2O5 > SO3. Hence, CaO is the least acidic and SO3 is the most acidic.