alleryStart learning →Aluminum is described as "amphoteric." What does this mean?
AIt reacts only with acids
BIt reacts with both acids and bases
CIt reacts only with bases
DIt does not react with acids or bases
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. It reacts with both acids and bases
1. An amphoteric substance can act as either an acid or a base, depending on what it is reacting with.
2. The text states directly: "Aluminum is amphoteric because it will react with both acids and bases."
3. This dual reactivity illustrates aluminum's intermediate character, combining both metallic and nonmetallic behaviour.
4. So calling aluminum amphoteric specifically means it reacts with both acids and bases, not just one or neither.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry Ch 18 "Representative Metals, Metalloids, and Nonmetals", p.972 §18.1 Periodicity_
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