How do nonmetals react with acids?

Answer 1

There is no general reaction like many metals displacing hydrogen. But some reactions can occur with specific nonmetals and acids. See the explanation for a couple examples.

Nitric acid is a potent oxidizing agent that can convert carbon to carbon dioxide, as well as phosphorous and sulfur, into sulfuric and phosphoric acids.

On the other hand, hydrobromic (HBr) and hydriodic (HI) acids possess reducing qualities. When chlorine reacts with either HBr or HI, it forms hydrochloric acid, which displaces the heavier halogen.

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Answer 2

Henry Antrim

Nonmetals, like hydrogen and carbon, can react with acids under certain conditions to form products like hydrogen gas or carbon dioxide, but these reactions are not as frequent or intense as those involving metals. In general, nonmetals do not react with acids because they cannot donate electrons, which is necessary for the acid-base reaction to occur.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.