Choose the correct statement from the following. (i) Beryllium is not readly attacked by acids because of…
Choose the correct statement from the following.
(i) Beryllium is not readly attacked by acids because of the presence of an oxide film on the surface of the metal.
(ii) $\mathrm{BeO}$ is an amphoteric oxide.
(iii) Beryllium exhibits coordination number more than four.
(iv) Beryllium oxide is purely acidic in nature.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Solution
Be is not readily attacked by acids due to formation of oxide layer. The surface of beryllium metal is covered with a thin layer of oxide that helps protect the metal from attack by air. It does not oxidise in air even at $600^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$.
$
2 \mathrm{Be}+\mathrm{O}_2 \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{BeO}
$
Hence, statement (a) is correct