List of oxides facts for kids

Have you ever wondered what makes up rust on metal or the air you breathe out? Many everyday things are made of special chemicals called oxides. An oxide is a chemical compound that always contains oxygen combined with at least one other element. Oxygen in oxides usually has a special charge of -2, which helps it connect with other atoms.

Metal Oxides: Common Compounds

Metal oxides are formed when a metal element combines with oxygen. They are found all around us and have many different uses.

Hard and Useful Oxides

• Aluminium oxide: This is a very hard white material. It is often used as an abrasive, like sandpaper, to grind or polish other materials.
• Calcium oxide: Also known as quicklime, this white substance is important in making steel and cement.
• Magnesium oxide: A white powder used in antacids to help with an upset stomach. It can also be found in some fireproof materials.
• Silicon dioxide: This is super common! It's a colorless crystal found in sand, quartz, and glass. It makes up a big part of Earth's crust.
• Tin(IV) oxide: A white solid that is an important ore for getting tin metal.
• Zinc oxide: This white powder is often used in sunscreens to protect your skin from the sun.

Colorful and Reactive Oxides

• Antimony trioxide: A white solid used in flame retardants.
• Antimony pentoxide: A yellow solid that can help other chemicals react.
• Bismuth(III) oxide: A pale yellow powder sometimes used in ceramics.
• Chromium(III) oxide: This is a dark green pigment used in paints and ceramics.
• Chromium(IV) oxide: A black, artificial material once used in cassette tapes.
• Cobalt(II) oxide: Can be dark green or black. It's used to give a blue color to glass and ceramics.
• Copper(I) oxide: This oxide has a reddish color.
• Copper(II) oxide: This one is black. Both copper oxides can be found in some pigments.
• Iron(II) oxide: A black substance used as a pigment.
• Iron(II,III) oxide: A black ore from which iron is extracted.
• Iron(III) oxide: This is what we commonly call rust! It's reddish-brown and forms when iron reacts with oxygen and water.
• Lead(II) oxide: An orange substance that needs to be handled with care.
• Lead(IV) oxide: A black substance used in car batteries. It also helps other chemicals react.
• Manganese(IV) oxide: A black powder used in alkaline batteries.
• Silver(I) oxide: A brown-black material used in small silver oxide batteries.
• Tin(II) oxide: Can be black or red. It can catch fire.
• Tungsten(VI) oxide: A yellow powder used in some electronic devices.

Less Common or Special Oxides

• Arsenic trioxide: A white solid that needs careful handling.
• Barium oxide: A white substance that can be harmful.
• Cerium(III) oxide: A white material used in some catalysts.
• Cerium(IV) oxide: This oxide helps other chemicals react.
• Chromium(VI) oxide: A red substance that needs careful handling.
• Lanthanum oxide: A white powder used in special glass.
• Lithium oxide: A white substance used in ceramics.
• Manganese(III) oxide: A black substance found in old batteries.
• Mercury(II) oxide: A red substance used in mercury batteries. It needs careful handling.
• Nickel(II) oxide: A light green powder.
• Rubidium oxide: A yellowish substance that reacts strongly.
• Thallium(I) oxide: A black substance that dissolves in water.
• Thorium(IV) oxide: A white substance that is radioactive.
• Uranium(VI) oxide: A yellow substance that is both harmful and radioactive.

Nonmetal Oxides: Gases and More

Nonmetal oxides are formed when nonmetal elements combine with oxygen. Many of these are gases.

Gases We Know

• Carbon dioxide: A colorless gas that is heavier than air. We breathe it out, and plants use it for growth.
• Carbon monoxide: A colorless gas that can be harmful if inhaled.
• Dihydrogen oxide: You know this one! It's the colorless liquid we call water.
• Nitric oxide: A gas that can be harmful.
• Nitrogen dioxide: A brown gas with a strong smell. It can be harmful.
• Nitrous oxide: This "sweet gas" is used in whipping cream cans and as an anesthetic to help people relax during medical procedures.
• Sulfur dioxide: A colorless gas with a "burned" smell. It can be harmful.

Other Nonmetal Oxides

• Bromine dioxide: Yellow crystals that are not very stable.
• Chlorine dioxide: A gas that helps other chemicals react strongly.
• Dinitrogen tetroxide: A colorless gas that can cause damage.
• Dinitrogen pentoxide: A solid that helps make nitric acid.
• Iodine pentoxide: A colorless solid.
• Phosphorus(III) oxide: Smells a bit like garlic and needs careful handling.
• Phosphorus(V) oxide: A white substance that easily absorbs water and can be irritating.
• Selenium dioxide: A white solid that smells like horseradish.
• Selenium trioxide: A solid that reacts very strongly.
• Tellurium dioxide: The most common tellurium compound, it can be white or yellow.
• Tellurium trioxide: A solid that reacts very strongly.
• Sulfur trioxide: An irritating liquid that can be harmful.