Explain chemical properties of non-metallic elements.

Chemical properties of non-metallic elements are:

Reaction of metal with dioxygen gas:

Non-metallic elements combine with dioxygen to form oxides.

C + O₂→ CO₂

Carbon dioxide

S + O₂→ SO₂

Sulphur dioxide

i. CO₂ and SO₂ are acidic oxides.

ii. CO and H₂O are neutral oxides.

Reaction of non-metal with acid:

i. Non-metals are electron acceptors.

ii. Hence, they are not able to remove the hydrogen present in acids.

iii. Thus, the effect of dilute hydrochloric acid on carbon is not observed.

Reaction of non-metal with dihydrogen:

Non-metallic elements react with dihydrogen gas to form stable hydride compounds.

For examples:

N₂ + H₂→ 2NH₃

O₂ + 2H₂→ 2H₂O

C + 2H₂→ CH₄