The first substance is nitric acid, HNO3. Since this substance dissolves to generate an acidic solution, the bond between O and H in the structural formula NO2OH breaks when the substance dissolves, making it an oxyacid. The latter substance, Ni(OH)2, is apparently insoluble in neutral water, but will dissolve if the solution is acidic. This behavior is typical of substances that feature basic anions. The bond between Ni and O is the one that breaks when Ni(OH)2 dissolves. The hydroxide ion that is produced quickly reacts with protons in solution and cannot react again with Ni2 to form a precipitate.