International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Chemistry Practice Exam

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What is the nature of non-metal oxides?

  1. Basic

  2. Acidic

  3. Neutral

  4. Alkaline

The correct answer is: Acidic

Non-metal oxides are compounds formed when non-metals react with oxygen. These oxides tend to have acidic properties because they can react with water to form acids. For example, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) can react with water to form sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃), while carbon dioxide (CO₂) reacts with water to produce carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). This ability to form acids in solution is a defining characteristic of many non-metal oxides. In contrast, basic oxides typically come from metals and are known to react with acids, while neutral oxides do not display acidic or basic behavior. Alkaline substances are specifically hydroxides of alkali metals and do not pertain to the behavior of non-metal oxides. Therefore, the classification of non-metal oxides as acidic aligns with their chemical behavior and the nature of the products they form in reactions.

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