Question

Explain the reaction of non metals with oxygen, chlorine and hydrogen

Answer 1

A) with hydrogen 
non metals like oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, fluorine, etc form corresponding hydrides with hydrogen viz water, ammonia, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride. 

B) with oxygen 
non metals form oxides with oxygen. 
e.g. nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, N2O5, etc), carbon dioxide, etc

Answer 2

1. Reaction of Non-metals with Oxygen
All non-metals react with oxygen to form acidic or neutral oxides. For example, Carbon forms acidic carbon dioxide on reacting with oxygen.
C + O 2 CO 2
Carbon Carbon Dioxide

2. Reaction of Non-metals with Chlorine
Non-metals react with chlorine to form covalent chlorides. For example,
H 2 + Cl2 2HCl
Hydrogen Chlorine Hydrogen chloride
P4 + 6Cl2 4PCl 3
Phosphorous Chlorine Phosphorous trichloride

3. Reaction of Non-metals with Hydrogen
Non-metals react with hydrogen to form covalent Hydrides. For example,
H 2 + S H 2S
Hydrogen sulphur Hydrogen sulphide
N 2 + 3H 2 2NH 3
Nitrogen Hydrogen Ammonia