Question

How is an acid prepared from a non-metal? Give an equation for it.

Answer 1

Acids are prepared from non-metals by their oxidation.
For example: Sulphur or phosphorus is oxidized by conc. Nitric acid to form sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid.

\[\ce{S + 6HNO3 → H2SO4 + 2H2O + 6NO2}\]

\[\ce{P + 5HNO3 → H3PO4 + H2O + 5NO2}\]

Answer 2

Binary acids i.e., acids containing two elements.

\[\ce{Hydrogen + \underset{(non-metal)}{Chlorine} -> Hydrochloric acid}\]

\[\ce{H2 + Cl2 -> 2HCl}\]

\[\ce{H2 + S -> H2S}\]