Metals and Non-metals — Class 10 MCQs with Answers

Metals and Non-metals — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 10 Science (Chemistry))

6 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. Tap an option to check yourself.

0 of 6 answered

1. Q1 of 6Easy

   Which is NOT a property of most metals?

   AMalleableBDuctileCBrittleDLustrous
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   Answer: 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.

2. Q2 of 6Easy

   Metals usually have:

   ALustreBDull surfaceCBrittlenessDLow density
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   Answer: 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.

3. Q3 of 6Medium

   Diamond and graphite are:

   ABoth metallicBSame compoundCDifferent compoundsDAllotropes of carbon
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   Answer: 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.

4. Q4 of 6Medium

   Assertion (A): Calcium starts floating when it is put in water. Reason (R): The heat given out when calcium reacts with water makes the hydrogen catch fire.

   ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of ABBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of ACA is true but R is falseDA is false but R is true
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   Answer: A is true but R is false

   Explanation: A is true: calcium floats because bubbles of hydrogen stick to its surface. R is false: the heat given out by calcium is not enough for the hydrogen to catch fire.

5. Q5 of 6Hard

   Which order is correct (most → least reactive)?

   AK > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu > Ag > AuBAu > Ag > Cu > Fe > Zn > Al > Mg > Ca > Na > KCMg > K > Na > Zn > Fe > AlDFe > Zn > Mg > Na > K
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   Answer: K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu > Ag > Au

   Explanation: The standard reactivity series runs K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu > Ag > Au, from most to least reactive; any order placing a noble metal like gold or silver near the top is wrong.

6. Q6 of 6Hard

   Assertion (A): Sodium cannot be obtained by heating sodium oxide with carbon. Reason (R): Sodium has more affinity for oxygen than carbon has.

   ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of ABBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of ACA is true but R is falseDA is false but R is true
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   Answer: Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

   Explanation: Both are true. Because sodium holds oxygen more strongly than carbon does, carbon cannot reduce sodium oxide, so sodium is obtained by electrolysis instead.

Metals and Non-metals notes: key concepts (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.

Displacement reaction

A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its salt solution; the reverse never happens.

Ionic (electrovalent) bond

Formed by the complete transfer of electrons from a metal to a non-metal, producing oppositely charged ions held by strong attraction.

Properties of ionic compounds

High melting and boiling points, solid and brittle, and conducting electricity when molten or dissolved but not when solid.

Minerals and ores

A mineral is any naturally occurring compound of a metal; an ore is a mineral from which the metal can be extracted profitably.

Metallurgy

The complete process of obtaining a pure metal from its ore — concentration, conversion to oxide, reduction, and refining.

Concentration of ore

Removing earthy impurities (gangue) from the crushed ore before any chemical treatment, by methods such as froth flotation.

Roasting and calcination

Roasting heats a sulphide ore strongly in air; calcination heats a carbonate ore in limited air. Both yield the metal oxide.

Reduction of the oxide

Moderately reactive metal oxides are reduced with carbon, while highly reactive metals require electrolytic reduction.

Refining by electrolysis

Purifying the metal by making the impure metal the anode and pure metal the cathode in a solution of its salt.

Corrosion and its prevention

Attack of a metal by its surroundings, prevented by painting, oiling, galvanising, anodising or alloying.

Alloys

Homogeneous mixtures of a metal with other elements, made to improve hardness, resistance to corrosion or appearance — steel, brass, bronze and solder.