How to figure amphoteric compounds

[Nina Fukui 2J]

Do I have to draw the lewis structure to know if a compound is amphoteric or not?

[ALee_1J]

Typically, I would draw one just to be safe, but theoretically speaking, you don't if you know it well? Sorry, if this doesn't help|||-_-

[Ryan Hoang 1D]

Sometimes, if there's something like HPO4,-2, you can just tell because it has the ability to either gain 2 electrons or lose 1 electron, so it's amphoteric. In salts, you can draw Lewis structure, or remember that typically, metals (Group 1/2) tend to form bases, while nonmetals form acids and metalloids form amphoteric molecules.

[Mia Meza]

from my understanding I know a compound will be amphoteric if it involves Be - Po.
[https://useruploads.socratic.org/um0XJzvvTZuLHnwyqgKj_Snap_024_.jpg]

[Mia Meza]

^ if you click that link it will show you a picture that can help explain what I mean :)