The oxides of metals and nonmetals differ in their acid-base properties when they are added to water. Here, we’ll examine those properties.

An oxide is a compound of an element with oxygen. Some examples of oxides are: Na 2 O, V 2 O 5, ZnO, CO 2, P 4 O 10, SO 2, and OF 2.

Many oxide compounds exist. A few examples are Na 2 O, V 2 O 5, ZnO, CO 2, P 4 O 10, SO 2, and F 2 O. An oxide is a compound of an element with oxygen. Some examples of oxides are: Na 2 O, V 2 O 5, ZnO, CO 2, P 4 O 10, SO 2, and F 2 O.

Let’s look at the periodic table.

Remember we can draw a staircase here

Where metals are on the left of the staircase Metals

And nonmetals are on the right side. Nonmetals Metals

A metal oxide is a compound of a metallic element with oxygen. A metal oxide is a compound of a metallic element with oxygen. E.g. K 2 O A nonmetal oxide is a compound of a non-metallic element with oxygen. E.g. NO 2

For example, the element potassium is a metal Nonmetals Metals

So the compound K2O, or potassium oxide is an example of a metal oxide. A metal oxide is a compound of a metallic element with oxygen. E.g. K 2 O A nonmetal oxide is a compound of a non-metallic element with oxygen. E.g. NO 2

A nonmetal oxide is a compound of a non-metallic element with oxygen. A metal oxide is a compound of a metallic element with oxygen. E.g. K 2 O A nonmetal oxide is a compound of a non-metallic element with oxygen.

For example, the element nitrogen is a nonmetal Nonmetals Metals

So the compound NO2, or nitrogen dioxide is an example of the nonmetal oxide. A metal oxide is a compound of a metallic element with oxygen. E.g. K 2 O A nonmetal oxide is a compound of a non-metallic element with oxygen. E.g. NO 2

It has been found experimentally that when metal oxides (click) are added to water, they produce (click) basic solutions. Metal Oxides Added to Water Basic Solutions

And when nonmetal oxides (click) are added to water, they produce (click) acidic solutions. Metal Oxides Added to Water Basic Solutions Nonmetal Oxides Added to Water Acidic Solutions

It is very important that you remember these two facts. Metal Oxides Added to Water Basic Solutions Nonmetal Oxides Added to Water Acidic Solutions produce when

One trick that might help you remember is that the word nonmetal has more letters than the word metal Metal Oxides Added to Water Basic Solutions Nonmetal Oxides Added to Water Acidic Solutions produce when

And the word acidic also has more letters than the word basic. This is only a trick. The best way to remember which is which is to understand why they behave as they do! Metal Oxides Added to Water Basic Solutions Nonmetal Oxides Added to Water Acidic Solutions produce when

See the two Videos: Metal Oxides and Nonmetal Oxides to get a better understanding of how oxides behave in water solutions