Class 10 Science

Chapter 3 Solutions — Metals and Non-metals

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Solutions

Overview

Step-by-step NCERT solutions for Metals and Non-metals (Chapter 3, CBSE Class 10 Science) — every question and answer worked out in full, not just the final result. You can also read the Metals and Non-metals textbook chapter.

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What these solutions cover

All 30 questions in Metals and Non-metals are solved in the PDF. Here's what's inside, exercise by exercise:

Physical Properties of Metals and Non-metals

1.
Give an example of a metal which
- (i) is a liquid at room temperature.
- (ii) can be easily cut with a knife.
- (iii) is the best conductor of heat.
- (iv) is a poor conductor of heat.
Explain the meanings of malleable and ductile.
Why is sodium kept immersed in kerosene oil?

Chemical Properties of Metals

1.
Write equations for the reactions of
- (i) iron with steam
- (ii) calcium and potassium with water
Samples of four metals A, B, C and D were taken and added to the following solution one by one. The results obtained have been tabulated as follows: Metal | Iron(II) sulphate | Copper(II) sulphate | Zinc sulphate | Silver nitrate A | No reaction | Displacement | — | — B | Displacement | — | — | — C | No reaction | No reaction | No reaction | Displacement D | No reaction | No reaction | — | No…
Which gas is produced when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to a reactive metal? Write the chemical reaction when iron reacts with dilute H₂SO₄.

Ionic Compounds and Their Properties

What is meant by saying that the metals are electropositive in nature? Give one example of an electropositive metal.
2.
What happens when
- (i) sodium metal reacts with chlorine gas?
- (ii) magnesium ribbon is burnt in oxygen? Write the balanced equation and identify the type of compound formed in each case.
3.
Give reasons:
- (i) Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points.
- (ii) Ionic compounds are good conductors of electricity in molten state or in aqueous solution but not in solid state.

Extraction and Refining of Metals

1.
Define the following terms:
- (i) Mineral
- (ii) Ore
- (iii) Gangue
Name two metals that are found in nature in the free state.
What chemical process is used for obtaining a metal from its oxide?

End-of-Chapter Exercise Questions

1.
Which of the following pairs will give displacement reactions?
- (a) NaCl solution and copper metal
- (b) MgCl₂ solution and aluminium metal
- (c) FeSO₄ solution and silver metal
- (d) AgNO₃ solution and copper metal
2.
Which of the following methods is suitable for preventing an iron frying pan from rusting?
- (a) Applying grease
- (b) Applying paint
- (c) Applying a coating of zinc
- (d) All of the above
3.
An element reacts with oxygen to give a compound with a high melting point. This compound is also soluble in water. The element is likely to be:
- (a) Calcium
- (b) Carbon
- (c) Silicon
- (d) Iron
4.
Give an example of a metal which
- (i) is a liquid at room temperature.
- (ii) can be easily cut with a knife.
- (iii) is the best conductor of heat.
- (iv) is a poor conductor of heat.
A metal M does not liberate hydrogen from acids but reacts with oxygen to give a black colour product. Identify M and black coloured product and also explain the reaction of M with oxygen.
Name two metals that will displace hydrogen from dilute acids, and two metals that will not.
In the electrolytic refining of a metal M, what would you take as the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte?
8.
Pratyush took sulphur powder on a spatula and heated it. He collected the gas evolved by inverting a test tube over it, as shown in the figure.
- (a) What will be the action of gas on
- (i) dry litmus paper?
- (ii) moist litmus paper?
- (b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction taking place.
9.
Account for the following:
- (a) Aluminium is a highly reactive metal, yet it is used to make utensils for cooking.
- (b) Carbonate and sulphide ores are usually converted into oxides during extraction.
You must have seen tarnished copper vessels being cleaned with lemon or tamarind juice. Explain why these sour substances are effective in cleaning the vessels.
What are the chemical properties of metals?
12.
What are alloys? Why are they made? Give the composition and one use of the following alloys:
- (i) Steel
- (ii) Brass
- (iii) Bronze
- (iv) Solder
What are amphoteric oxides? Give two examples of amphoteric oxides.
14.
Name one metal which
- (i) does not react with cold as well as hot water but reacts with steam.
- (ii) does not react with any physical state of water.
Explain why metals are good conductors of electricity.
How does the reactivity series of metals help in predicting the reactions between a metal and a solution of another metal's salt?
What would happen if a copper vessel is used to store lemon pickle for a long time? Explain.
Differentiate between calcination and roasting.

Sample

Worked examples

3 questions from Metals and Non-metals, solved step by step.

Physical Properties of Metals and Non-metals

Give an example of a metal which (i) is a liquid at room temperature. (ii) can be easily cut with a knife. (iii) is the best conductor of heat. (iv) is a poor conductor of heat.

(i) Mercury (Hg) is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

(ii) Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are soft metals that can be easily cut with a knife.

(iii) Silver (Ag) is the best conductor of heat, followed by copper (Cu).

(iv) Lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are comparatively poor conductors of heat among metals.

Answer: (i) Mercury (ii) Sodium (iii) Silver (iv) Lead

Chemical Properties of Metals

Write equations for the reactions of (i) iron with steam (ii) calcium and potassium with water

(i) Iron reacts with steam (not cold or hot water) to form iron(II,III) oxide and hydrogen gas:

3Fe(s) + 4H₂O(g) → Fe₃O₄(s) + 4H₂(g)

(ii) Calcium reacts with hot water to form calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Calcium starts floating because H₂ gas bubbles stick to its surface:

Ca(s) + 2H₂O(l) → Ca(OH)₂(aq) + H₂(g)↑

Potassium reacts violently with cold water. The reaction is so exothermic that the hydrogen gas evolved catches fire:

2K(s) + 2H₂O(l) → 2KOH(aq) + H₂(g)↑

Answer: (i) 3Fe + 4H₂O → Fe₃O₄ + 4H₂ (ii) Ca + 2H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + H₂; 2K + 2H₂O → 2KOH + H₂

Ionic Compounds and Their Properties

What is meant by saying that the metals are electropositive in nature? Give one example of an electropositive metal.

Metals are said to be electropositive in nature because they tend to lose electrons during chemical reactions to form positively charged ions (cations).

For example, sodium (Na) is an electropositive metal. It has one electron in its outermost shell (electronic configuration: 2, 8, 1). During a reaction, it loses this electron to form Na⁺ ion:

Na → Na⁺ + e⁻

By losing the electron, sodium achieves the stable electronic configuration of neon (2, 8).

Answer: Metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations). Example: Sodium (Na → Na⁺ + e⁻)

All 30 questions in Metals and Non-metals are solved step by step in the Solutions PDF above.

Board papers

Metals and Non-metals in CBSE board papers

Tested in 66 questions across 24 Class 10 board papers (2020–2026). Open a set to see exactly how this chapter is asked:

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Chapter 3 Solutions — Metals and Non-metals

Overview

What these solutions cover

Physical Properties of Metals and Non-metals

Chemical Properties of Metals

Ionic Compounds and Their Properties

Extraction and Refining of Metals

End-of-Chapter Exercise Questions

Worked examples

Give an example of a metal which (i) is a liquid at room temperature. (ii) can be easily cut with a knife. (iii) is the best conductor of heat. (iv) is a poor conductor of heat.

Write equations for the reactions of (i) iron with steam (ii) calcium and potassium with water

What is meant by saying that the metals are electropositive in nature? Give one example of an electropositive metal.

Metals and Non-metals in CBSE board papers

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