Here's a breakdown:
* Water (H₂O) acts as a reactant.
* Metal oxide (MO), where M represents a metal, also acts as a reactant.
* Hydroxide (OH⁻) is formed as a product.
The general reaction is:
MO + H₂O → M(OH)₂
Example:
Sodium oxide (Na₂O) reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH):
Na₂O + H₂O → 2NaOH
Explanation:
The reaction involves the water molecules reacting with the metal oxide, breaking the metal-oxygen bond and forming a metal hydroxide. In the process, hydrogen ions (H⁺) from the water combine with the oxide ions (O²⁻) to form hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
This reaction is important because it demonstrates how metal oxides can react with water to form basic solutions, which are often used in various industrial and chemical processes.