DATE: 30/11/18

TITLE: Acid-Base behavior of some group 4 oxides.

AIM: To compare acid-base behavior of some group 4 oxides.

THEORY: The group 4 elements show a transition from non-metallic to metallic behaviour
on descending the group. Thus, the oxides change from non-metallic oxides to metallic
oxides and so the acid-base behaviour changes down the group.

APPARATUS: Test tubes, droppers

MATERIALS: Solid samples of SiO2, SnO2 and PbO2, a source of CO2 gas, universal
indicator solution, bench reagents - NaOH and HCl.

DIAGRAM:

Figure 7.1: Set up for experiment.

METHOD:
1. A source of CO2 gas was bubbled through about 2cm3 of water for a few seconds. A
drop of universal indicator to the solution and the pH was recorded.
2. A very small amount of SiO2 was mixed to about 2cm3 of water. A drop of universal
indicator was added and the pH was recorded.
 3. A very small amount of SiO2 was mixed to about 2cm3 of HCl and its solubility was
recorded.
4. A very small amount of SiO2 was mixed to about 2cm3 of NaOH and the solubility
was recorded.
5. Steps (2) to (4) were repeated using the other samples.

RESULTS:
CO2 SiO2 SnO2 PbO2
Dissolves in Soluble Insoluble Soluble Soluble
water
pH in water 3 4 - -
Dissolves in HCl Insoluble Insoluble Soluble Soluble

Dissolves in Soluble Soluble Soluble Soluble

NaOH
Table 7.1: Table of Results

DISCUSSION:
CO2 is acidic
SiO2 is acidic
SnO2 is amphoteric
PbO2 is amphoteric

CO2(g) + HCL(aq)  CCl4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

CO2(g) + NaOH(aq) NaHCO3(aq) + H2O(l)

SiO2(s) + HCl(aq)  SiCl(aq) + H2O(l)

SiO2(s) + NaOH(aq)  Na2SiO3(aq) + H2O(l)

SnO2(s) + HCl(aq)  SnCl4(s) + 2H2O(l)

SnO2(s) + 2NaOH(aq)  Na2SnO3(aq) + H2O(l)

PbO2(s) + HCL(aq)  PbCl2(aq) + Cl2(g) + 2H2O(l)

PbO2(s) + 4NaOH(aq)  Pb(OH)4(s) + 2Na2O(s)

The elements change from having an acidic nature to having a basic nature as group 4 is
descended.

PRECAUTION: Small amounts of the compounds were used to ensure that an observable
change was obtained.

SOURCE OF ERROR: The use of impure compounds.

CONCLUSION: The acid-base behavior of some group 4 oxides were compared.

REFERENCING: Balanceador de Ecuaciones Químicas. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://es.intl.chemicalaid.com/tools/equationbalancer.php?equation=PbO2 NaOH = Pb(OH)4
Na2O