Question

Why do metals (in solid state)and mtallic oxides not react with bases(alkalines) and why do non metals and non-metallic oxides do not react with acids?

Answer 1

1)
Reaction of metal with bases occur according to their order of reactivity and position in the reactivity series.
For eg :
When a piece of Iron is dipped in a NaOH solution , No reaction occurs because Na lies above Fe in the reactivity series and hence Na is more reactive as compared to that of Fe.
But if we try to react Zn which is above Na in reactivity series the reaction occurs as follows :
Zn + NaOH → Na₂ZnO₂ + H₂

2) Reaction of metal oxides with bases do not occur because Metal oxides themselves are basic in nature and they react with water to produce respective bases. Thus they are also known as basic anhydrides.
K₂O +H₂O​ → 2KOH
​
3)
Similary Non metallic oxides do not react with acids because they are themselves acidic in nature and also known as acidic anhydrides.
They produce acid on reaction with H₂O
CO₂ +H₂O ​→ H₂CO₃

4) Reaction of Non metal with acids :
Non metals are electronegative in nature and thus they cannot reduce the Hydrogen ion produced in acid or simply can not donate electrons required to reduce Hydrogen ion to undergo a reaction .While metal being electropositive in nature reduces the hydrogen ion and hence reaction occurs in case of metals.
​