Will the following oxides give acidic, basic, or neutral solutions when dissolved in water? Write reactions to justify your answers. a. \(\mathrm{Li}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) b. \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) c. \(\mathrm{SrO}\)

We will determine the type of oxide for each substance. Metallic oxides are basic and non-metallic oxides are acidic. a. \(\mathrm{Li}_{2} \mathrm{O}\): Lithium oxide Lithium is a metal, so this is a metallic oxide. b. \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\): Carbon dioxide Carbon is a non-metal, so this is a non-metallic oxide. c. \(\mathrm{SrO}\): Strontium oxide Strontium is a metal, so this is a metallic oxide.

Next, we will write the reactions for each substance dissolving in water. a. Lithium oxide (\(\mathrm{Li}_{2} \mathrm{O}\)): \[ \mathrm{Li}_{2} \mathrm{O} \ + \ 2\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \ \rightarrow \ 2\mathrm{LiOH} \] Since \(\mathrm{LiOH}\) is a strong base, the solution will be basic. b. Carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\)): \[ \mathrm{CO}_{2} \ + \ \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \ \rightleftharpoons \ \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{CO}_{3} \] Carbonic acid (\(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{CO}_{3}\)) is a weak acid, so the solution will be acidic. c. Strontium oxide (\(\mathrm{SrO}\)): \[ \mathrm{SrO} \ + \ \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O} \ \rightarrow \ \mathrm{Sr(OH)}_{2} \] Since \(\mathrm{Sr(OH)}_{2}\) is a strong base, the solution will be basic.

Now we have the reactions for each oxide dissolving in water, we can determine the type of solution they form: a. Lithium oxide (\(\mathrm{Li}_{2} \mathrm{O}\)) forms a basic solution. b. Carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\)) forms an acidic solution. c. Strontium oxide (\(\mathrm{SrO}\)) forms a basic solution.