Nonmetallic oxides behave as acidic compounds, as they react with bases to form salts and water, analogous to the reaction of acids with bases.
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Nonmetallic oxides, often referred to as acidic oxides, tend to exhibit acidic behavior. These oxides result from the combination of nonmetals with oxygen. In the presence of water, they form acidic solutions by producing acids through reactions. For example, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) dissolve in water to form sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃) and nitric acid (HNO₃), respectively. These oxides can also react with bases to produce salts and water. Unlike basic metal oxides, nonmetallic oxides contribute to the acidity of solutions and are crucial in understanding environmental phenomena like acid rain.