Oxide - Examples of Oxides

Examples of Oxides

The following table gives examples of commonly encountered oxides. Only a few representatives are given, as the number of polyatomic ions encountered in practice is very large.

Name Formula Found/Usage
Water (hydrogen oxide) H2O Common solvent, Required by Carbon-based life
Nitrous oxide N2O Laughing gas, anesthetic (used in a combination with diatomic oxygen to make Nitrous oxide and oxygen anesthesia), produced by Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Nitrous, oxidizing agent in rocketry, aerosol propellant, recreational drug, greenhouse gas. Other nitrogen oxides such as NO2 (Nitrogen dioxide), NO(Nitrogen oxide), N2O3 (Dinitrogen trioxide) and N2O4 (Dinitrogen tetroxide) exist, particularly in areas with notable air pollution. They are also strong oxidisers, can add Nitric acid to Acid rain, and harmful to health.
Silicon dioxide SiO2 Sand, quartz
Iron(II,III) oxide Fe3O4 Iron Ore, Rust, along with iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3)
Aluminium oxide Al2O3 Aluminium Ore, Alumina, Corundum, Ruby (Corundum with impurities of Chromium).
Zinc oxide ZnO Reqiured for vulcanization of rubber, additive to concrete, sunscreen, skin care lotions, antibacterial and antifungal properties, food additive, white pigment.
Carbon dioxide CO2 Constituent of the atmosphere of Earth, the most abundant and important greenhouse gas, used by plants in photosyntheis to make sugars, product of biological processes such as respiration and chemical reactions such as combustion and chemical decomposition of carbonates. CO or Carbon monoxide exists as a product of incomplete combustion and is a highly toxic gas.
Calcium oxide CaO Quicklime (used in construction to make mortar and concrete), used in Self-heating cans due to exothermic reaction with water to produce Calcium hydroxide, possible ingredient in Greek fire and produces limelight when heated over 2,400 °Celsius.

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