What is the function of silica, $\ce{SiO2}$ in the equation $$\ce{CaO + SiO2 -> CaSiO3}$$ a) A basic oxide b) A acidic oxide c) A reducing agent d) An oxidising agent
Please explain.
What is the function of silica, $\ce{SiO2}$ in the equation $$\ce{CaO + SiO2 -> CaSiO3}$$ a) A basic oxide b) A acidic oxide c) A reducing agent d) An oxidising agent
Please explain.
Since this sounds like a homework question, I will not provide a full solution!
Figure out the oxidation state for the $\ce{Ca}$ and $\ce{Si}$ in the starting materials and the product. As a rule of thumb, consider the oxidation state of (-2) for $\ce{O}$. Unless peroxides are concerned, this works well.
$$\ce{Ca^{(+2)}O + Si^{(+4)}O2 -> Ca^{(+2)}Si^{(+4)}O3}$$
Apparently, there is no change - this is not a redox reaction!
Metal oxides are usually basic oxides. These can be considered anhydrides of the corresponding metal hydroxides, $\ce{CaO}$ is a typical example: $\ce{CaO + H2O -> Ca(OH)2}$ What about $\ce{SiO2}$?