Metals and Non-metals — Class 10 MCQs with Answers
Class 10 CBSE Science (Chemistry) · Chapter 3
90 practice questions · 30 Easy · 30 Medium · 30 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 10 CBSE Science (Chemistry) questions from Chapter 3, "Metals and Non-metals". You get 9 timed quizzes made from 90 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 30 Easy, 30 Medium and 30 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE Board exams and the JEE & NEET foundation years apart.
To score well in "Metals and Non-metals", focus on clear concepts in physics, chemistry and biology basics. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Metals and Non-metals, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 10 Science (Chemistry) mastery score. 14 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Metals and Non-metals (Class 10 Science (Chemistry))
Metals and non-metals differ in their physical properties and, more importantly, in how they react. The reactivity series orders metals by their tendency to lose electrons, and it explains displacement, the method of extraction and the way metals are protected from corrosion.
- Physical properties of metals
- Lustrous, malleable, ductile, sonorous and good conductors of heat and electricity; most are solid at room temperature.
- Physical properties of non-metals
- Generally dull, brittle, non-sonorous and poor conductors, existing as solids, liquids or gases.
- Exceptions to the rules
- Mercury is a liquid metal, sodium is soft enough to cut, graphite conducts electricity and iodine is a lustrous non-metal.
- Reactivity series
- Metals arranged in order of decreasing reactivity, from potassium down to gold, which predicts the outcome of any displacement reaction.
Metals and Non-metals — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 10 Science (Chemistry))
14 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 76 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Easy
Which is NOT a property of most metals?
A.MalleableB.DuctileC.Brittle✓ CorrectD.LustrousAnswer: C. Brittle
Explanation: Metallic bonding lets atomic layers slide past each other, giving malleability, ductility and lustre — the properties in the other options. Brittleness, where a substance shatters under stress, is instead typical of non-metals.
- Q2Easy
Metals usually have:
A.Lustre✓ CorrectB.Dull surfaceC.BrittlenessD.Low densityAnswer: A. Lustre
Explanation: Lustre, the shiny appearance metals show when freshly cut or polished, comes from free electrons at the surface reflecting light; dullness, brittleness and low density are instead typical non-metal traits.
- Q3Easy
Bromine at room temperature is:
A.SolidB.Liquid✓ CorrectC.GasD.PlasmaAnswer: B. Liquid
Explanation: Bromine is the only non-metal that is liquid at room temperature; most non-metals are gases, like oxygen and chlorine, or solids, like sulphur and iodine.
- Q4Easy
In the reactivity series, the most reactive metal is:
A.Potassium✓ CorrectB.SodiumC.CalciumD.MagnesiumAnswer: A. Potassium
Explanation: Down the reactivity series, potassium sits above sodium, calcium and magnesium, reacting most vigorously — it can even catch fire on contact with cold water.
- Q5Easy
When a metal burns in oxygen, it forms a:
A.Acidic oxideB.Basic oxide✓ CorrectC.Neutral oxideD.Amphoteric oxide alwaysAnswer: B. Basic oxide
Explanation: Metals reacting with oxygen form metal oxides, and these are typically basic — they neutralise acids and turn litmus blue — unlike the acidic oxides that non-metals form.
- Q6Easy
A mineral from which a metal can be extracted profitably is called:
A.SlagB.GangueC.Ore✓ CorrectD.FluxAnswer: C. Ore
Explanation: An ore is a mineral from which a metal can be extracted economically; gangue is the unwanted earthy impurity mixed with it, and slag is the waste formed later during smelting.
- Q7Medium
The metals that are most malleable are:
A.Zinc and leadB.Iron and copperC.Gold and silver✓ CorrectD.Sodium and potassiumAnswer: C. Gold and silver
Explanation: Gold and silver are the most malleable metals.
- Q8Medium
Diamond and graphite are:
A.Both metallicB.Same compoundC.Different compoundsD.Allotropes of carbon✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Allotropes of carbon
Explanation: Diamond and graphite are both made of pure carbon atoms but arranged in different structures — diamond as a rigid 3-D network, graphite as flat layers — making them allotropes, not different compounds.
- Q9Medium
Which metal can displace hydrogen from dilute H₂SO₄?
A.SilverB.CopperC.Zinc✓ CorrectD.GoldAnswer: C. Zinc
Explanation: A metal displaces hydrogen from a dilute acid only if it lies above hydrogen in the reactivity series; zinc qualifies (Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂), while copper, silver and gold sit below hydrogen and do not react.
- Q10Medium
An oxide that reacts with both acids and bases is:
A.Sodium oxideB.Aluminium oxide✓ CorrectC.Magnesium oxideD.Calcium oxideAnswer: B. Aluminium oxide
Explanation: Aluminium oxide is amphoteric — it reacts with both acids and bases, unlike the purely basic Na₂O, MgO and CaO.
- Q11Medium
Highly reactive metals (e.g. Na, K, Al) are extracted by:
A.Hydrogen reductionB.Carbon reductionC.Self-reductionD.Electrolysis of molten salt✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Electrolysis of molten salt
Explanation: Metals high in the reactivity series, such as K, Na, Ca, Mg and Al, bond too strongly to oxygen for carbon to reduce them, so they are extracted by electrolysis of their molten salts or oxides instead.
- Q12Hard
Which oxide is amphoteric?
A.Na₂OB.CO₂C.Al₂O₃✓ CorrectD.SO₂Answer: C. Al₂O₃
Explanation: An amphoteric oxide reacts with both acids and bases; Al₂O₃ does exactly this, forming AlCl₃ with HCl and NaAlO₂ with NaOH, while Na₂O is purely basic and CO₂, SO₂ are acidic.
- Q13Hard
Why are most non-metal oxides acidic?
A.They are basicB.They react with water to form acids✓ CorrectC.They are inertD.They are amphotericAnswer: B. They react with water to form acids
Explanation: Non-metal oxides dissolve in water to form acids, e.g. CO₂ + H₂O → H₂CO₃ and SO₂ + H₂O → H₂SO₃, turning blue litmus red — the opposite of the basic oxides metals typically form.
- Q14Hard
During formation of NaCl from Na and Cl, what happens to Na?
A.Stays neutralB.Gains electronC.Loses one electron (oxidised)✓ CorrectD.Forms covalent bondAnswer: C. Loses one electron (oxidised)
Explanation: In forming the ionic compound NaCl, sodium loses its single outer electron to become Na⁺, an oxidation, while chlorine gains that electron to become Cl⁻ — not the reverse, and not a covalent bond.
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Start this chapter free →Metals and Non-metals — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 10 Science (Chemistry) Metals and Non-metals?+
Metals and non-metals differ in their physical properties and, more importantly, in how they react. The reactivity series orders metals by their tendency to lose electrons, and it explains displacement, the method of extraction and the way metals are protected from corrosion. Key ideas include Physical properties of metals, Physical properties of non-metals, Exceptions to the rules, Reactivity series.
What does Class 10 Science (Chemistry) Chapter 3 (Metals and Non-metals) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 90 NCERT-based MCQs on "Metals and Non-metals": 30 Easy, 30 Medium and 30 Hard. Together they make 9 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams and the JEE & NEET foundation years.
Are these "Metals and Non-metals" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Metals and Non-metals" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Metals and Non-metals" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 9 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Metals and Non-metals" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 14 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Metals and Non-metals" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Metals and Non-metals (Class 10 Science (Chemistry))?+
The questions that matter most test Physical properties of metals, Physical properties of non-metals, Exceptions to the rules, Reactivity series. This page shows 14 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 90 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Metals and Non-metals?+
Yes — Class 10 Science (Chemistry) Metals and Non-metals has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.