METALS AND NON-METALS || CHAPTER 6 || CHEMISTRY

Q1) What are the physical properties of metals?

Ans: The physical properties of metals:
i) Physical state:
Metals are solid at room temperature e.g. gold , silver , aluminium and copper.
However, mercury exists as a liquid at room temperature. Gallium and caesium become
liquid at a temperature slightly above room temperature.
ii) Melting and Boiling Point:
Metals have generally high melting points. Tungsten has the highest melting point
(34070 C ) . However sodium , potassium and mercury have low melting points.
iii) Metallic Lustre:
Metals have shining surface. This property of metals is called metallic lustre. Because of
this property (metallic lustre) gold, silver, platinum, etc. are used to make jewellery.
iv) Tensile Strength:
Metals are generally hard. But hardness varies from metals to metals. But, sodium is an
exception which is very soft. Sodium metal can be cut using a knife.
Because of hardness iron metal is used in making of garter of bridges, rail lines, rail
compartment, car body, etc.
v) Malleability:
Metals are malleable. Metals can be beaten into thin sheet. This character of metals is
called malleability. Because of this character iron metal is used to make thin sheets
which are used in making of car body, containers, etc.
Gold and silver are most malleable metals that’s why these metals are used in making
jewelleries.
vi) Ductility:
Metals are ductile. Metals can be drawn into thin wires. This character of metals is called
ductility. Because of this character of ductility, iron is used in making of wires which are
tied up to make strong ropes. Ropes made of iron are used in cranes, bridges, etc.
Gold is the most ductile metal. Gold is such ductile that about 2km of wire can be drawn
from one gram of gold. Zinc is a non-ductile metal and its brittle in nature.
vii) Thermal Conductivity:
Metals are good conductor of heat. Because of this property cooking utensils are made
of metals, such as aluminium, copper, iron, etc. Silver is the best conductor of heat while
metals like bismuth & mercury are poor conductors of heat.
viii) Good conductor of electricity:
Metals are good conductor of electricity. Because of this property copper and aluminium
metals are used to make electric wires. Silver is the best conductor of electricity while
lead is a poor conductor electricity. The least conducting metal is Tungsten.
ix) Sonority:
Metals produce ringing sound when beaten. Because of this property metals are used to
make bells in schools, temples and churches. This property of metals to produce ringing
sound is called sonority.
x) Density: Most metals have a high density. E.g. Density of Iron is quite high, that is 7.8
g/cm3 . However, sodium and potassium have a very low density because of which they
even float on water. Lithium is the lightest metal.
Q2) What are the physical properties of non-metals?
Ans: Physical properties of Non-Metals:
i) Lustre:
Non-Metals do not have shining surface like metals except diamond and iodine.
ii) Hardness:
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Non-metals are soft. But, diamond which is an allotrope of carbon is the hardest natural
substance so far known.
iii) Malleability:
Non-Metals are not malleable. Non-Metals cannot be beaten into thin sheet. When a non-
metal is beaten it is broken into pieces. Thus, non-metals are brittle.
iv) Ductility:
Non-Metals are not ductile, i.e. non-metals are brittle. Non-Metals can not be drawn into
thin wires. However carbon fibre is ductile.
v) Thermal Conductivity:
Metals are bad conductor of heat. But Diamond is good conductor of heat.
vi) Bad conductor of electricity:
Non-Metals are bad conductor of electricity except graphite which is an allotrope of carbon.
vii) Non-Sonorous:
Non-Metals do not produce ringing sound when beaten, thus non-metals are non-sonorous.
viii) Physical state:
Some non-metals are solid, some are liquid and some are gas at room temperature.
ix) Melting and boiling points:
Non-metals have low melting and boiling points. But, diamond, an allotrope of carbon has
very high melting and boiling point
Q3) What happens when metals react with oxygen?

Ans: When metals are burnt in air, respective metal oxides are formed.
Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide
Most of the metals show this chemical property, i.e. they combine with oxygen and form
respective metallic

i) When sodium is heated in air, it starts burning with orange flame and forms a mixture of
sodium oxide and sodium peroxide. Sodium starts burning immediately in air when heated
or put under a flame.

ii) When magnesium is burnt or heated in the presence of air, it burns with dazzling light
and gives magnesium oxide.

iii) When aluminium metal is heated or burnt in air, it forms aluminium oxide.

In this reaction Aluminium oxide is formed as a thin layer over aluminium metal. This layer
prevent further oxidation of aluminium.
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iv) When zinc is heated in air, first zinc starts forming vapour and a thin layer of zinc oxide is
formed over it.

v) When copper is heated or burnt in the presence of air, a black coloured layer of copper
(II) oxide is formed over it.

Copper does not burn in air, but it gets coated with a black coloured layer of copper (II) oxide.

Q4) What happens when Metals react with Acids?

Ans: When metal reacts with dilute acid, respective salt and hydrogen gas are formed.
Metal + Dilute Acid → Salt + Hydrogen
i) Reaction of sodium with dilute hydrochloric acid.
Sodium metal gives sodium chloride and hydrogen gas when reacts with dilute
hydrochloric acid.

ii) Reaction of potassium with dilute hydrochloric acid

When potassium metal reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride and hydrogen are
formed.

iii) Reaction of magnesium with dilute hydrochloric acid.

When magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, magnesium chloride and
hydrogen gas are formed.

iv) Reaction of aluminium with dilute sulphuric acid.

Similarly, aluminium gives aluminium sulphate and hydrogen gas when reacts with
sulphuric acid.

v) Reaction of zinc with dilute sulphuric acid.

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Similarly, zinc metal gives zinc sulphate and hydrogen gas when reacts with dilute
sulphuric acid.

vi) Reaction of iron metal with dilute hydrochloric acid.

Iron gives iron (II) chloride and hydrogen gas after reaction with dilute hydrochloric
acid.

Q5) State reactions of different metals with water?

Ans: Metals form respective metal oxide and hydrogen when react with water.
Metal + Water → Metal Oxide + Hydrogen
Soluble metal oxide gets dissolved in water and form respective metal hydroxide.
Metal oxide + Water → Metal hydroxide
Example:
i) Reaction of Sodium with water
When sodium metal reacts with water, it gives sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Sodium metal reacts so vigorously with water that hydrogen gas produced in this
reaction catches fire immediately.

Reaction of sodium with water is highly exothermic.

ii) Reaction of potassium with water
Potassium metal reacts vigorously with water and produces potassium hydroxide and
hydrogen.

Reaction of potassium and water is highly exothermic. In this reaction also evolved
hydrogen gas catches fire immediately.
iii) Reaction of Calcium with water
Calcium metal reacts with water vigorously and produces calcium hydroxide and
hydrogen gas.

In this reaction of calcium and water, bubbles of hydrogen gas are formed and get stuck
to the surface of calcium metal because of which calcium starts floating.
Reaction of calcium with water is exothermic but heat produced in this reaction is not
sufficient so that hydrogen can catch fire.
iv) Reaction of Magnesium with water
Magnesium metal does not react with cold water. Magnesium reacts with hot water and
forms magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
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In this reaction of magnesium and water, magnesium starts floating because of bubbles
of evolved hydrogen gas get stuck with the surface of magnesium metal.
v) Reaction of Aluminium metal with water
When aluminium metal reacts with steam, aluminium oxide and hydrogen gas are
formed.

Aluminium does not react with cold or hot water. But aluminium reacts with steam.
vi) Reaction of zinc with water
When zinc reacts with steam, zinc oxide and hydrogen gas are formed.

Zinc also do not react with cold or hot water.

vii) Reaction of Iron with water
Iron also does not react with cold or hot water, but when reacts with steam, iron oxide
and hydrogen gas are formed.

Q6) State the chemical properties of Non-metals?

Ans: Chemical properties of Non-metals

Reaction of non-metal with oxygen

Most of the non-metals form their oxides when react with oxygen.

Non metal + Oxygen → Non-metal oxide

Oxides of non metals are acidic in nature. Non-metal oxides forms acid when dissolved is water.

Example:

Reaction of carbon with oxygen

Carbon does not react with oxygen at room temperature. But, when carbon is burnt in the presence
of air, it gives carbon dioxide.

Burning of carbon is an exothermic reaction. This is the cause that carbon is used as fuel. Coal,
petrol, natural gas, etc. all are different forms of either carbon or carbon compounds.
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Burning of carbon in insufficient supply of air

When carbon is burnt in insufficient supply of air, i.e. insufficient supply of oxygen, it gives carbon
monoxide.

Reaction of sulphur with oxygen

Sulphur does not react with oxygen at room temperature. But, when sulphur is burnt in the presence
of air, it gives sulphur dioxide.

Reaction of hydrogen with oxygen

When hydrogen reacts with oxygen, it gives water.

Q7) What are the uses of Copper?

Ans: It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. It is malleable and ductile.
i)The major portion of copper produced in the world is used by electrical
industries since it is a good conductor of electricity. It is used for making
electrical transmission wires. It is used for making coils of electric motor,
generators, etc.
ii) It is used in making utensils, coins and jewellery.
(1) Copper is used as an electroplated coating.
(2) It is used for making pipes for plumbing.
Q8) What are the uses of Iron?
Ans: It is the most used and cheapest metal. The different varieties of iron depend
upon on the amount of carbon content present in it.
i) Wrought Iron: It contains less than 0.1% of carbon. Hence it is soft and ductile.
Wrought iron is used for making tin roofing, railing, grills, electromagnets, nails
and bolts, furniture, gates, etc.
ii) Pig Iron (Cast Iron): it contains about 2 to 4 percent of carbon and other
impurities. Pig Iron is used in the manufacture of drain pipes, manhole lids,
sanitary fittings and immovable parts of machinery.
iii) Steel: Its carbon content is up to 2%. Steel is used for making rails, bridges,
building, ships, machine parts, automobiles, utensils etc.
Q9) What are the uses of Aluminium?
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Ans: It is silvery white metal. Aluminium is malleable, ductile, light and strong. It is
very good conductor of heat and electricity. It is also corrosion resistant. Therefore,
it has a wide range of applications.
i) Aluminium is used for making cooking utensils, can for drinks, food packaging
foil, furniture, doors and windows, etc.
ii) Aluminium is also used for making electrical transmission lines for power
distribution.
iii) It us used for making bodies of aircraft, automobiles and machine parts.
iv) Aluminium is a very good reflector. Therefore, it is used for making concave
mirrors for astronomical telescopes.
Q10) What are the uses of Zinc?
Ans: It is a bluish white metal. Zinc is brittle in nature.
i) It is used to galvanize iron sheets to prevent them from corrosion.
ii) It is used to make alloys like brass and German silver.
iii) It is used for making the negative electrode of dry cells.
iv) It is used in die casting in the automobile industry.
v) It is used on ships to prevent corrosion due to sea water.
vi) Zinc powder or scrape zinc displaces metals such as gold and silver from their salt
solutions as zinc is more reactive than gold and silver. Therefore, it is used in the
extraction of gold silver.
Q11) What are the uses of Mercury?
Ans: It is heavy, silvery metal which is liquid at room temperature.
i) Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers and sphygmomanometers (used
to measure blood pressure).
ii) It is used as an amalgam (silver amalgam) in dental fillings.
iii) It is used in mercury vapour lamps for lighting.
Q12) What is the use of Oxygen?
Ans: Oxygen is a life-supporting gas as it is required for respiration. Fish and other
aquatic animals use the oxygen dissolved in water for respiration. Oxygen also
supports combustion.
i) Liquid oxygen (LOX) is used as a rocket propellant.
ii) A mixture of oxygen and acetylene is used to produce a flame of a very high
temperature called oxy-acetylene flame, which is used for cutting and welding
metals.
iii) Oxygen is used in the manufacture of important compounds like nitric acid and
sulphuric acid.
iv) The steel industry uses pure oxygen to remove impurities.
Q13) What is the use of Nitrogen?
Ans: Nitrogen is essential for growth of plants and animals. Plants utilize nitrogen
compounds to make proteins, which are the building blocks of life.
i) Nitrogen is used to manufacture ammonia and nitric acid, which are used to
make fertilizers.
ii) Nitrogen is generally non-reactive. Therefore, it is used in the food industry to
prevent spoilage of food items.
iii) Liquid nitrogen is used as a cooling agent in the refrigeration industry. Human
body tissue and blood are stored in liquid nitrogen in hospital.
iv) Nitrogen is used in the metal industry in welding and soldering.
Q14) What is the use of Sulphur?
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Ans: Sulphur is soft, yellow solid at room temperature. It is brittle and a poor
conductor of electricity.
i) Sulphur is used as an important raw material in the manufacture of sulphuric
acid.
ii) It is used in making paper, insecticides, and fungicides.
iii) It is used in the vulcanization of rubber, a process to improve the physical
properties of rubber. Vulcanized rubber is more durable than natural rubber.
iv) Sulphur powder is used as a fungicide in skin-care soaps and ointments.
v) It also finds use in matches, gun powder and in fire works due to its flammable
nature.
Q15) What is the use of Hydrogen?
Ans: It is a colourless, odourless and flammable gas.
i) Hydrogen is used in the manufacture of ammonia by Haber’s process.
ii) It is used to convert vegetable oils in to fats by the process called hydrogenation
in the presence of nickel as a catalyst.
iii) Hydrogen is used in the production of a high temperature flame called oxy-
hydrogen flame for cutting and welding of metals.
iv) It is also used in the manufacture of hydrochloric acid and methanol.
v) Liquid hydrogen is used as a rocket fuel.
vi) Hydrogen can also serve as fuel in the future.
Q16) What is the use of Carbon?
Ans: It is one of the most important non-metals because all life on the earth is
made up of carbon compounds. Carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, vitamins,
enzymes, etc. which are essential for the development growth and maintenance of
living organisms, are all made up of carbon compounds.
i) Carbon in the form of graphite is used as electrodes in electrolytic cells and dry
cells.
ii) Carbon in the form of diamond is used in making jewellery.
iii) Coal and coke are used as fuels.
iv) Carbon black is used in making inks. Carbon paper, typewriter ribbons etc.
Q17) What is Alloy and alloying?
Ans: The properties of metal can be improved if it is mixed with one or more
metals or a non-metal. This process of improving the properties of a metal by mixing
it with other metals or non-metals is called alloying. The new product thus obtained
is called an alloy.
An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or a metal and non-metal
mixed in a definite proportion in their molten state.
Q18) Name two metals which are both malleable and ductile.
Ans: Gold and Silver.
Q19) Name a metal which exists in liquid state.
Ans: Mercury.
Q20) Identify the most reactive and the least metal amongst the following:
K, Cu, Au.
Ans: K is the most reactive and Au is the least reactive metal.
Q21) Which metal is used for making foils for packing of medicine tablets?
Ans: Aluminium.
Q22) Which metal is used for decorating sweets?
Ans: Silver.
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Q23) Name a non-metal which is a good conductor of heat and electricity.

Ans: Graphite.
Q24) Oxides of non-metals are generally of which nature?
Ans: Acidic nature.
Q25) How do non-metals react with water?
Ans: Non-metals do not react with water.
Q26) What is displacement reaction?
Ans: A reaction in which a more reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal
from its compound in aqueous solution is called displacement reaction. For example,
when iron nails are dipped in copper sulphate solution, the iron being more reactive
displaces copper from its solution and form ferrous sulphate solution of light green
colour.
Fe + CuSO4 --> FeSO4 + Cu
Q27) Why silver does not displace hydrogen from dilute hydrochloric acid?
Ans: Silver is less reactive than hydrogen therefore, it can not displace hydrogen
from dilute hydrochloric acid.
Q28) What are Sonorous materials?
Ans: Materials which make a ringing (metallic) sound when hit hard by some other
material are called sonorous materials. All metals except the soft ones are sonorous
while non-metals are not sonorous.
Q29) Define: (1) Malleability (2) Ductility (3) Metals (4) Non-metals (5) Metalloids
Ans: Malleability: The property of metals by which they can be beaten into thin
sheets. This is one of the characteristic properties of metals.
Ductility: It is the property of metals by which they can be drawn into wires is called
ductility.
Metals: Metals are those materials which are generally hard (except Na and K), lustrous,
mostly exists in solid state (except mercury), malleable, ductile, sonorous and also good
conductors of heat and electricity.
Non-Metals: Non-metals are those materials which are found in all the three states
(solid, liquid and gas), non-lustrous, non-sonorous, neither malleable nor ductile and
also bad conductors of heat and electricity. The oxides of non-metals are acidic in
nature.
Metalloids: Metalloids are those materials which possess the qualities of both metals
and non-metals.
Q30) What is Rust ?
Ans: In the presence of moisture iron reacts with oxygen to form hydrated Ferric
Oxide (Fe2O3.xH2O) which is brownish in colour. This is called ‘Rust’.
Q31) What is an alloy? Describe.
Ans: Mixture of two or more than two metals in order to get desired properties is
called an alloy. For example, stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium and nickel.
Stainless steel is very hard and does not rust. So, it is used to make utensils, surgical
instruments and many other products. Other alloys are like Brass, Bronze, Gun Metal
etc.
Q32) How do different metals react with water?
Ans: Different metals react differently with water while hydrogen being a common
end product. For example,
(a) Sodium metal reacts vigorously with water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen
gas.
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(b) Magnesium only reacts with hot boiling water to from magnesium oxide and
hydrogen.
(c) Red hot iron reacts with steam to form iron oxide and hydrogen.
(d) Copper, nickel, and silver do not react with water.
Q33) Why are utensils made of aluminium and brass?
Ans: Both aluminium and brass are ductile, malleable and also can be easily
casted into different shapes. Aluminium being a metal and brass an alloy,
both of them are good conductor of heat. Because of the reasons aluminium
and brass are used to make utensils.
Q34) Give reasons:
(i) Iron is used in constructing bridges and houses.
(ii) Aluminium is used for making electrical wires.
(iii) Sulphur is counted as non-metal.
Ans: (i) Iron is used in construction of bridges and houses because iron
being a hard metal it forms reinforced concrete when casted with cement.
(ii) Aluminium is used for making electrical wires because of its following
properties:
a. good conductor of electricity
b. ductility
c. cheaper than copper
(iii) Sulphur is a non-metal because:
a. it is neither malleable nor ductile
b. it combines with oxygen to form acidic oxide
c. does not conduct heat or electricity.
Q35) Give some uses of non-metals.
Ans: Following are some uses of non-metals –
1. Oxygen is used by plants and animals for respiration. It also supports the
process of combustion.
2. Compounds of nitrogen provide nutrients to soil and plants. Fertilizers made of
non-metallic compounds are extensively used in agriculture.
3. Chlorine is used as disinfectant.
4. Sulphur is used in germicide and as an antiseptic for skin treatment. It is also
used in crackers.
Q36) Compare the chemical properties of metals and non-metals.
Ans:
Metals Non-metals

1. Metals react with oxygen to

1. Metals react with oxygen to produce
produce oxides which are alkaline in
oxides which are acidic in nature.
nature.
2. Non-metals do not react with water.
2. Metals react with water differently
to produce oxides and hydroxides.
3. Non-metals generally react with
3. They react with acids to produce
acids
H2 gas.

Q37) What is the objective of making alloys?

Ans: An alloy is prepared to develop certain specific properties not possessed by
its constituent elements. The main objectives of making alloys are as follows:
i) To increase hardness: Alloys are generally harder than pure metals. Stainless
steel is harder than pure iron. Therefore, pure iron is mixed with small amounts
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of carbon and other alloying elements like chromium, nickel, tungsten and
manganese to form different types of steel. Pure Gold (24 carat gold) is too soft
and ductile and thus is not normally used to make jewellery. It is hence alloyed
with small amounts of silver and copper to make it harder. Brass an alloy of
copper and zinc, is stronger than pure copper.
ii) To increase tensile strength: Alloy have a greater tensile strength than their
constituent elements. Steel used in making axles, ball bearings and cutting tools,
etc. has a greater tensile strength than iron. Pure aluminium is not very strong,
but duralumin an alloy of aluminium prepared by addition of copper and
magnesium to aluminium is as strong as steel.
iii) To increase resistance to corrosion: Iron gets rusted easily, but stainless steel an
alloy of iron containing chromium and nickel with iron, is resistant to corrosion.
iv) To increase electrical resistance: Nichrome an alloy of nickel and chromium with
iron offers more resistance to electricity than copper.
v) To modify chemical reactivity: Alloys modify the chemical reactivity of a metal.
E.g. Sodium metal is highly reactive metal and catches fire immediately when
added to water. However sodium-amalgam, which is an alloy of Sodium with
mercury does not catch fire.
vi) To modify the appearance and colour: Aluminium is silvery white while copper is
reddish brown but aluminium bronze and an alloy of aluminium and copper , has
a yellow colour but resembles gold.
vii) To produce good castings: Type metal an alloy of lead, antimony and tin, has
good casting properties and is therefore used to make printing blocks.
Q38) Explain recycling and conservation of metals?
Ans: The methods of reusing metals are called recycling of metals. Recycling of
metals saves natural resources such as ores and minerals and saves the money and
energy required in the extraction of metals from their ores. The recycling process
involves collecting metal scrap and reprocessing it to make new products.
Q39) Give different examples of recycling of metals?
Ans: Scrap metal comes from homes, manufacturers and industries in different
forms. These scarp metals are recycled to make new products:
i) Iron and steel scrap s recycled to make new steel.
ii) Lead from batteries to obtain fresh lead.
iii) Broken and discarded copper utensils and wire can be recycled to obtain fresh
copper.