Final answer:
Nonmetal oxides dissolve in basic solutions to form salts and water, as they are typically acidic oxides that undergo neutralization reactions with bases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most nonmetal oxides dissolve in basic solutions to form salts and water. This occurs because nonmetal oxides are generally acidic oxides, and when they dissolve in a base, they undergo a neutralization reaction, resulting in the formation of a salt compound and water. This distinguishes them from metal oxides, which are typically basic oxides and react differently with acidic and basic solutions. For example, metal oxides at low oxidation states react with acids to form salts and water, metal oxides at intermediate oxidation states can be amphoteric, meaning they can react with both acids and bases, and metal oxides at high oxidation states are predominantly acidic and therefore react with bases.