Question

what is the difference between the nature of oxides of metal and oxides of nonmetals? How can you test it?

Answer 1

metal oxides r basic in nature
non-metal oxides r acidic in nature
it can be tested by indicators like litmus paper

Answer 2

We have learnt that metallic oxides are basic nature. This is because the oxides of metals like MgOMgO or CaOCaO or Na2ONaX2Oform hydroxides in their aqueous solutions. For example:

K2O+H2O⟶2KOHKX2O+HX2O⟶2KOH

MgO+H2O⟶Mg(OH)2MgO+HX2O⟶Mg(OH)X2

But when non-metallic oxides dissociate into their constituent ions in water, they give H+HX+ ions in their aqueous solutions forming acids For example:

CO2+H2O⟶H2CO3COX2+HX2O⟶HX2COX3

SO3+H2O⟶H2SO