Exams › JEE Advanced › Chemistry

Arrange the following oxides in the correct order of increasing acidic strength: SO2, P2O3, SiO2, Al2O3.

1. SO2 > P2O3 > SiO2 > Al2O3
2. P2O3 > SO2 > SiO2 > Al2O3
3. P2O3 > Al2O3 > SO2 > SiO2
4. Al2O3 > SiO2 > P2O3 > SO2

Correct answer: SO2 > P2O3 > SiO2 > Al2O3

Solution

Across period 3, acidic strength of oxides increases from left to right. Al2O3 is amphoteric (least acidic here), SiO2 is a weak acid oxide, P2O3 is a moderate acid oxide, and SO2 is a stronger acid oxide (dissolves in water to give H2SO3). So increasing order of acidic strength: Al2O3 < SiO2 < P2O3 < SO2, i.e., SO2 > P2O3 > SiO2 > Al2O3.

Related JEE Advanced Chemistry questions

• What is formed when an excess amount of sodium hydroxide is added to a solution of stannous chloride?
• Which of the following substituted silanes can form a cross-linked silicone polymer upon undergoing hydrolysis?
• Which pairs of reactants most effectively demonstrate the dual acidic and basic behavior of Al2O3.xH2O?
• Among the following oxides, which one acts as the most potent oxidizing agent?
• Among the following compounds, which one acts as the most powerful reducing agent?
• Which xenon-oxygen compound cannot be produced through the hydrolysis of xenon fluorides?

⚔️ Practice JEE Advanced Chemistry free + battle 1v1 →