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JAMB Chemistry 1980 Question 14

Question 14

Metals and their Compounds

Which of the following statements is true?

  1. A.Metals conduct electricity while non-metals do not
  2. B.Metals have high density, non-metals have low density
  3. C.Metals form basic oxides, non-metals form acidic oxides
  4. D.In the electro chemical series, metals are above hydrogen while non-metals are below hydrogen
  5. E.Metals lose electrons while non-metals gain electrons during normal reactions.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Metals form basic oxides, non-metals form acidic oxides)

Explanation

As a general rule metal oxides are basic and non-metal oxides acidic. A fails (graphite conducts), B fails (sodium is less dense than water), D fails (copper is below hydrogen), and non-metals often share electrons rather than gain them.