Question

Which of the following statements are true regarding non-metal oxides?

• A. They are acidic in nature.
• B. They are basic in nature.
• C. They react with acid to form salt and water.
• D. They react with base to form salt and water.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

The correct options are
A They are acidic in nature.
D They react with base to form salt and water.

Reaction of non-metal oxide with base is:

$\text{Non-metal oxide + Base}\to \text{Salt + Water}$

An example of the above reaction is:

${\text{CO}}_2\text{(g)}+{\text{Ca(OH)}}_2\text{(aq)}\to {\text{CaCO}}_3\text{(s)}\downarrow +{\text{H}}_2\text{O(l)}$

${\text{CO}}_2$ is a non-metal oxide and ${\text{Ca(OH)}}_2$ is a base. They react to form ${\text{CaCO}}_3$ (salt) and water.

Comparing it with neutralisation reaction where acid reacts with base to form salt and water, we can conclude non-metal oxides are acidic in nature.