What are oxides
Rust is mix product of the union of an element metallic or non-metallic with oxygen, such as nitrogen oxide, calcium oxide, lead oxide, among others.
Sometimes it forms a reddish coat on iron and other metal surfaces, a product of oxidation caused by contact with water or humidity.
The oxide can be found at room temperature in the liquid, solid or gaseous state. Most elements establish stable combinations with oxygen and others in Oxidation state.
The rust is called depending on the number of oxygen atoms present:
1 atom of oxygen is called monoxide, 2 atoms of oxygen is called dioxide, 3 atoms of oxygen is called trioxide, and so on.
The oxide splits according to the stoichiometry of the compound; binary oxide composed of oxygen and 1 element, mixed oxide made up of 2 different elements and oxygen.
See also Oxidation and Atom.
The term oxide comes from the Greek word meaning “acid.”
Types of oxides
basic oxide
He basic oxide It is a compound product of the combination of a metal element with oxygen. Likewise, the basic oxide is known as basic anhydride, since adding water can create basic hydroxides.
The least electronegative element oxide tends to be basic.
acid oxide
He acid oxide It is a binary chemical compound product of the mixture of a non-metal element with oxygen. Likewise, the acid oxide is known as acid anhydride since when water is added it forms oxacid.
The most electronegative element acid oxide are usually acids.
Amphoteric oxide
He amphoteric oxide It is created when an amphoteric element intervenes in the compound, that is, the oxides act as an acid or base depending on how they react.
Amphoteric oxide has a neutral and stable electronegativity.
Oxide reduction
An oxidation-reduction reaction It is determined because there is an electron transfer, in which an oxidizing agent gains electrons and reduces its oxidation number and a reducing agent loses electrons and increases its oxidation number.
In addition, the oxidation number It is the charge of the chemical element, that is, it corresponds to an arbitrary value that is established for each chemical element depending on the number of electrons it gains, loses or conforms when a compound is constituted.
carbon oxide
He carbon oxide Known as carbon dioxide, it is an odorless, colorless gas that is released in respiration, combustion and some fermentations. Carbon oxide is the mixture of a simple radical or compound with 2 oxygen atoms.
The biological cycle where carbon exchanges occur between living beings and the atmosphere is respiration, through the process of photosynthesis. In turn, carbon oxide regulates global warming of the Earth’s surface and, through the greenhouse effect, contributes to the Earth having a tolerable temperature for biomass.
However, carbon oxide has different commercial, industrial and medical uses. It serves as an extinguishing agent for fire, since it eliminates oxygen. It provides effervescence to certain drinks, it can also be used to curdle dairy products.
It can be used as a soil fertilizer, cooling liquid, contrast agent in radiology, ventilation agent in surgeries, treatments for circulatory problems, among other uses.
Nitrous oxide
He nitrous oxide It is a colorless gas with low solubility in water. The designation of nitrogen oxides identifies a group of gaseous chemical compounds formed by the combination of oxygen and nitrogen.
Nitrous oxide has narcotic properties, which is why it is applied in the area of dentistry, and in the food industry it is used to make food. When nitrous oxide is injected into conventional engines or into some rockets, an increase in their power is achieved, among other uses.
In the health area, nitrous oxide can cause damage to the respiratory tract and lungs. However, nitrous oxide causes significant effects on the environment, since this gas is one of the causes of acid rain and global warming.
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