Step 1: Understand the types of oxides.
Oxides can be classified as acidic, basic, amphoteric, or neutral based on their chemical behavior:
- Acidic oxides react with water to form acids or react with bases to form salts.
- Basic oxides react with acids to form salts.
- Amphoteric oxides can react both with acids and bases.
- Neutral oxides generally do not react with acids or bases.
Step 2: Analyze Carbon monoxide (CO).
- CO is a neutral oxide.
- It does not react significantly with acids or bases.
- Hence, it is not an acidic oxide.
Step 3: Analyze Germanium oxide (GeO).
- GeO reacts with water to form acidic solutions.
- It reacts with bases to form germanates.
- Therefore, GeO behaves as an acidic oxide.
Step 4: Analyze Tin(II) oxide (SnO).
- SnO shows amphoteric behavior.
- It reacts with acids to form tin salts.
- It also reacts with bases to form stannites.
Step 5: Analyze Lead(II) oxide (PbO).
- PbO is also amphoteric.
- It reacts with acids and bases forming corresponding salts.
Step 6: Conclusion.
Among the given oxides:
- CO is neutral.
- GeO is acidic.
- SnO and PbO are amphoteric.
Thus, the correct acidic oxide is GeO.
The correct answer is option (2) GeO.