Alumina, A l2 O3, is amphoteric. Among examples of its...

Alumina, $A l_{2} O_{3},$ is amphoteric. Among examples of its amphoteric character are the reactions that occur when $\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}$ is heated strongly or "fused" with acidic oxides and basic oxides. (a) Write a balanced equation for the reaction of alumina with silica, an acidic oxide, to give aluminum metasilicate, $\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SiO}_{3}\right)_{3}$ (b) Write a balanced equation for the reaction of alumina with the basic oxide CaO to give calcium aluminate, $\mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{AlO}_{2}\right)_{2}$

Alumina, $A l_{2} O_{3},$ is amphoteric. Among examples of its amphoteric character are the reactions that occur when $\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}$ is heated strongly or "fused" with acidic oxides and basic oxides.
(a) Write a balanced equation for the reaction of alumina with silica, an acidic oxide, to give aluminum metasilicate, $\mathrm{Al}_{2}\left(\mathrm{SiO}_{3}\right)_{3}$
(b) Write a balanced equation for the reaction of alumina with the basic oxide CaO to give calcium aluminate, $\mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{AlO}_{2}\right)_{2}$

Key Concepts

Fusion Reactions

Fusion in chemical reactions typically involves heating substances to high temperatures to induce reactions that might not occur under standard conditions. In the context of inorganic chemistry, fusion is used to promote reactions between solid oxides by providing the necessary energy to overcome kinetic barriers, leading to the formation of new compounds.

Stoichiometry and Balanced Chemical Equations

This concept is fundamental to all chemical reactions, as it ensures that the mass, atoms, and charge are conserved during a reaction. The skill of writing balanced chemical equations is critical for correctly describing the reaction processes between different chemicals, predicting product formation, and scaling reactions for practical applications.

Amphoteric Oxides

This concept refers to compounds that can behave both as acids and bases. In inorganic chemistry, materials like alumina (Al2O3) illustrate amphoterism, meaning they can react with both acidic oxides (or acids) and basic oxides (or bases) depending on the reaction conditions. This dual reactivity is key to understanding how such substances are utilized in various industrial and laboratory processes.

Acid-Base Reactions in Inorganic Systems

This concept encompasses the reactions between acidic and basic compounds in inorganic chemistry. Understanding acid-base behavior is essential when analyzing how oxides interact; acidic oxides, such as silica (SiO2), can react with amphoteric oxides, while basic oxides, such as CaO, react similarly but in the opposite manner. This helps in predicting the formation of complex compounds such as metasilicates and aluminates.

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