Question

If X is a non-metal, its Oxide \[{X_2}{O_3}\] is expected to be a \[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\] oxide.

Answer 1

Hint: We all know that for a non-metal, its oxide will always be acidic. A few of the examples for this are \[S{O_2}\] , \[C{O_2}\] , \[{P_4}{O_{10}}\]. These are all oxides of non-metals like sulphur and phosphorus. We find out the nature of an oxide by reacting the oxide with water. If the solution that we obtain is acidic then the oxide is acidic in nature.

Complete answer:
If X is a non-metal, then its oxide, \[{X_2}{O_3}\] is expected to be an acidic oxide. Since X is a non-metal it mainly forms oxides which are acidic in nature. Metals will always form basic oxides, but non-metals will form oxides that are acidic in nature. Non-metals like sulphur and phosphorus reacts with oxygen to form sulphur dioxide, Sulphur trioxide and Phosphorous pentoxide. Carbon when reacted with oxygen forms carbon dioxide that can produce carbonic acid when reacted with water. These compounds, when present in the air, get dissolved in rainwater, making them acidic. This is known as acid rain. All non-metals form covalent oxides with oxygen that react with water to form acids.
Thus we can safely say that the given oxide is an acidic oxide.

Note:
Carbon when reacted with oxygen under specific conditions can also form carbon monoxide. Even though this is a non-metal oxide, it generally is a neutral oxide. That is it has neither acidic nor basic.
Metal oxides are usually basic in nature. But metal oxides such as aluminium oxides are amphoteric in nature. This means that it can act as both acid and a base.