Question

Non-metals react with oxygen to form ___ or ___
a.Acidic oxides, neutral oxides
b.Acidic oxides, basic oxides
c.Neutral, basic oxides
d.None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Non-metallic elements are the electronegative elements placed on the extreme right side of the modern periodic table. The nature of these oxides can be determined by dissolving them in water and identifying whether it forms an acid or a base.

Complete answer:
The classification of oxides formed by the reaction of an element with oxygen can be done on the basis of the type of solutions that they form on dissolution.
Metallic oxides tend to form hydroxides in water that are classified as strong bases according to the Arrhenius acid-base theory. Non-metallic oxides usually form bonds with protons and hence give acidic solutions.
The nature of solid oxides can also be identified with the help of acid-base indicators like phenolphthalein and litmus solutions.
Non-metallic elements tend to form gaseous oxides like carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides that give carbonic acid, sulphuric acid and nitric acid on dissolution.
Lower oxides like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide are neutral and do not show any reaction in the presence of an acid or a base.

Hence, non-metals react with oxygen to form acidic or neutral oxides and option (a) is correct.

Note:
Generally metals tend to form basic oxides and non-metals form acidic oxides or neutral oxides. But both metals and nonmetals are capable of forming amphoteric oxides that react with both acids as well as bases. Aluminium oxide is a metallic amphoteric oxide and silicon dioxide is a non-metallic amphoteric oxide.