Question

Nature of non-metal oxides is generally

• A. acidic
• B. basic
• C. amphoteric
• D. neutral

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine the nature of non-metal oxides, we need to understand their chemical properties and behavior.

1. Understanding Non-Metal Oxides:
Non-metal oxides are compounds formed by the combination of a non-metal element with oxygen. Examples include $\text{CO}_2$ (carbon dioxide), $\text{SO}_2$ (sulfur dioxide), $\text{NO}_2$ (nitrogen dioxide), and $\text{P}_4\text{O}_{10}$ (phosphorus pentoxide). These oxides generally exhibit acidic properties when dissolved in water.

2. Acidic Nature of Non-Metal Oxides:
When non-metal oxides dissolve in water, they often form acids. For example:
- $\text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3$ (carbonic acid)
- $\text{SO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{SO}_3$ (sulfurous acid)
- $\text{SO}_3 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$ (sulfuric acid)
These reactions show that non-metal oxides react with water to produce acidic solutions.

3. Basic Nature of Metal Oxides:
In contrast, metal oxides (e.g., $\text{Na}_2\text{O}$, $\text{CaO}$) typically exhibit basic properties. When dissolved in water, they form bases. For example:
- $\text{Na}_2\text{O} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 2\text{NaOH}$ (sodium hydroxide)
- $\text{CaO} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Ca(OH)}_2$ (calcium hydroxide)

4. Conclusion:
The nature of non-metal oxides is generally acidic because they form acids when dissolved in water.

Final Answer:
$ {\text{acidic}} $