If X is a nonmetal, its oxide X2O3is expected to be a/an ______ oxide....
Acidity or basicity of an oxide is determined by the nature of the element X. In this case, X is a nonmetal. Nonmetals tend to form acidic oxides while metals form basic oxides. Therefore, X2O3is expected to be an acidic oxide.
Explanation:
Nonmetals tend to gain electrons to form anions. The oxides of nonmetals are therefore acidic in nature because they tend to react with water to form acidic solutions. For example, sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an acidic oxide that reacts with water to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
On the other hand, metals tend to lose electrons to form cations. The oxides of metals are therefore basic in nature because they tend to react with water to form basic solutions. For example, sodium oxide (Na2O) is a basic oxide that reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
In the case of X2O3, X is a nonmetal, and therefore the oxide is expected to be acidic. When X2O3 comes in contact with water, it reacts to form an acidic solution. For example, the oxide of nitrogen, N2O3, reacts with water to form nitrous acid (HNO2):
N2O3 + H2O → 2HNO2
Hence, the correct answer is option 'A' - acidic oxide.
If X is a nonmetal, its oxide X2O3is expected to be a/an ______ oxide....
One way to answer this question is that as X is a non-metal it mainly forms acidic oxides. Another way to answer this is that generally elements in their higher oxidation state are acidic in nature. Here the oxidation state of X is +3 so it mainly forms acidic oxide.
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