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Practice Class 10 Science Chapter 3 – Metals and Non-metals with 5 original NCERT-based MCQs, detailed solutions, chemical reactions, physical properties and important concepts for exam preparation.
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Chapter Information
Subject: Science
Class: 10
Chapter: Metals and Non-metals
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Practice Set: 1
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Based On: NCERT Syllabus
Content Type: Original Practice Questions
Introduction
Metals and non-metals are important groups of elements that have different physical and chemical properties. Metals such as iron, aluminium and copper are widely used in construction, electrical equipment and everyday objects. Non-metals such as oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur are also essential for many natural processes and industrial applications.
The properties of these elements help us understand how they react with oxygen, water, acids and other substances. Their reactions also explain why some metals are more reactive than others.
This Practice Set 1 covers the physical properties of metals, the formation of metal oxides, reactions with acids, displacement reactions and the reactivity of metals.
What You Will Learn
- Physical properties of metals and non-metals
- Formation of metal oxides
- Reactions of metals with dilute acids
- Displacement reactions
- The reactivity of different metals
- Chemical equations and their interpretation
- Important concepts for Class 10 Science examinations
Why This Topic Is Important
Metals and non-metals form an important part of Class 10 Science. Questions from this chapter test students’ understanding of physical properties, chemical reactions, reactivity and practical applications.
Learning to interpret chemical equations and identify the products of reactions helps students answer conceptual and application-based questions accurately.
5 MCQs with Answers and Detailed Solutions
Q1. Which physical property allows most metals to be drawn into thin wires?
A) Malleability
B) Ductility
C) Brittleness
D) Sonority
Answer: Ductility
Detailed Solution
Ductility is the property of a material that allows it to be drawn into thin wires.
Most metals are ductile. For example, copper is used to manufacture electrical wires because it can be drawn into thin wires and conducts electricity effectively.
Malleability is different from ductility. Malleability allows a material to be beaten into thin sheets.
Therefore, ductility is the correct answer.
Exam Tip
Remember the difference:
- Ductility: Ability to be drawn into wires.
- Malleability: Ability to be beaten into thin sheets.
- Sonority: Ability to produce a ringing sound when struck.
Q2. Which of the following equations correctly represents the reaction of magnesium with oxygen?
A) $$Mg + O_2 \rightarrow MgO$$
B) $$2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO$$
C) $$Mg + H_2O \rightarrow MgO + H_2$$
D) $$Mg + O_2 \rightarrow Mg(OH)_2$$
Answer: $$2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO$$
Detailed Solution
Magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. During the reaction, magnesium combines with oxygen to produce a metal oxide.
The balanced chemical equation is:
$$2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO$$
Two magnesium atoms react with one oxygen molecule to form two units of magnesium oxide.
This reaction demonstrates that metals can react with oxygen to form metal oxides.
Therefore, the balanced equation in Option B is correct.
Exam Tip
Always check whether the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of a chemical equation.
Q3. What happens when zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid?
A) Zinc chloride and hydrogen gas are formed.
B) Zinc oxide and oxygen gas are formed.
C) Zinc hydroxide and chlorine gas are formed.
D) No reaction takes place under ordinary conditions.
Answer: Zinc chloride and hydrogen gas are formed.
Detailed Solution
Zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and hydrogen gas.
The balanced chemical equation is:
$$Zn + 2HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2$$
In this reaction, zinc displaces hydrogen from hydrochloric acid because zinc is more reactive than hydrogen.
The release of hydrogen gas is a characteristic feature of this reaction.
Therefore, zinc chloride and hydrogen gas are the correct products.
Exam Tip
Remember the general reaction:
Metal + Dilute acid → Salt + Hydrogen gas
This is a general pattern for metals that react with dilute acids under suitable conditions. Not every metal reacts with every acid in the same way.
Q4. An iron nail is placed in a copper sulphate solution. What change is expected?
A) No chemical reaction takes place.
B) Copper displaces iron from the solution.
C) Iron displaces copper from the solution.
D) Iron and copper form a gaseous compound.
Answer: Iron displaces copper from the solution.
Detailed Solution
Iron is more reactive than copper. Therefore, when an iron nail is placed in copper sulphate solution, iron displaces copper from the solution.
The balanced chemical equation is:
$$Fe + CuSO_4 \rightarrow FeSO_4 + Cu$$
The expected observations are:
- The blue colour of copper sulphate solution changes towards pale green as iron sulphate forms.
- A reddish-brown deposit of copper appears on the iron nail.
This is an example of a displacement reaction.
Therefore, iron displacing copper is the correct answer.
Exam Tip
A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution.
Q5. Which of the following metals is the most reactive?
A) Copper
B) Silver
C) Potassium
D) Gold
Answer: Potassium
Detailed Solution
Potassium is highly reactive and is placed near the top of the reactivity series of metals.
Copper, silver and gold are less reactive than potassium.
The reactivity series helps us compare the chemical reactivity of metals and predict whether one metal can displace another from its compound.
Among the given options, potassium is the most reactive metal.
Therefore, potassium is the correct answer.
Exam Tip
Learn the relative positions of common metals in the reactivity series. It helps with questions on displacement reactions, reactions with water and acids, and metal extraction.
Important Concepts
Physical Properties of Metals
Most metals are generally lustrous, malleable, ductile, sonorous and good conductors of heat and electricity.
However, there are exceptions. For example, mercury is liquid at room temperature, and sodium is soft enough to be cut with a knife.
Physical Properties of Non-metals
Many non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity and are not malleable or ductile. However, exceptions exist. Graphite, a form of carbon, conducts electricity.
Reaction of Metals with Oxygen
Many metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides.
For example:
$$2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO$$
Metal oxides are generally basic, although some metal oxides are amphoteric and react with both acids and bases.
Reaction of Metals with Dilute Acids
Metals that are above hydrogen in the reactivity series generally react with dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute sulphuric acid to produce a salt and hydrogen gas, subject to the nature of the metal and reaction conditions.
Example:
$$Zn + 2HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2$$
Displacement Reactions
A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution.
Example:
$$Fe + CuSO_4 \rightarrow FeSO_4 + Cu$$
Iron displaces copper because iron is more reactive than copper.
Reactivity Series
The reactivity series arranges metals in decreasing order of reactivity.
A commonly used sequence is:
Potassium > Sodium > Calcium > Magnesium > Aluminium > Zinc > Iron > Lead > Hydrogen > Copper > Mercury > Silver > Gold
Hydrogen is included as a reference point even though it is not a metal.
Related Practice Questions
Q1. What is the difference between malleability and ductility?
Q2. Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of magnesium with oxygen.
Q3. What gas is generally produced when zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid?
Q4. Why can iron displace copper from copper sulphate solution?
Q5. What is the purpose of the reactivity series?
Mini Quiz Challenge
Try answering these five questions without looking at the detailed solutions.
Q1. Which of the following is a good conductor of electricity?
A) Sulphur
B) Copper
C) Phosphorus
D) Oxygen
Q2. Which product is formed when magnesium reacts with oxygen?
A) Magnesium chloride
B) Magnesium sulphate
C) Magnesium oxide
D) Magnesium hydroxide
Q3. Which gas is generally released when zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid?
A) Oxygen
B) Nitrogen
C) Hydrogen
D) Carbon dioxide
Q4. Which metal can displace copper from copper sulphate solution?
A) Silver
B) Gold
C) Iron
D) Copper
Q5. Which of the following metals is least reactive?
A) Potassium
B) Calcium
C) Zinc
D) Gold
Exam Tips
- Learn the definitions of malleability, ductility and sonority.
- Practise balancing chemical equations.
- Understand the products formed when metals react with oxygen and dilute acids.
- Memorise the relative positions of common metals in the reactivity series.
- Understand the observations associated with displacement reactions.
- Do not assume that every metal reacts equally with water or acids.
- Read every option carefully before selecting an answer.
Quick Revision Notes
- Ductility means the ability to be drawn into wires.
- Malleability means the ability to be beaten into thin sheets.
- Metals generally form oxides when they react with oxygen.
- Magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide.
- Zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and hydrogen.
- A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution.
- Iron displaces copper from copper sulphate solution.
- The reactivity series helps predict the outcome of displacement reactions.
- Physical properties have exceptions, so avoid using words such as “all” without checking the context.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Confusing malleability with ductility.
- Forgetting to balance chemical equations.
- Assuming that every metal reacts with dilute acids at the same rate.
- Confusing the reactants with the products of a reaction.
- Assuming that a less reactive metal can displace a more reactive metal from its salt solution.
- Memorising the reactivity series without understanding how to use it.
- Ignoring exceptions to the general physical properties of metals and non-metals.
Key Takeaways
- Metals and non-metals have different physical and chemical properties.
- Ductility and malleability describe different properties of materials.
- Many metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides.
- Some metals react with dilute acids to release hydrogen gas.
- Displacement reactions depend on the relative reactivity of metals.
- The reactivity series is useful for predicting chemical reactions.
- Chemical equations should be balanced and interpreted carefully.
FAQs
Q. What is ductility?
Answer:
Ductility is the property of a material that allows it to be drawn into thin wires.
Q. What is malleability?
Answer:
Malleability is the property of a material that allows it to be beaten into thin sheets.
Q. What happens when magnesium reacts with oxygen?
Answer:
Magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide.
$$2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO$$
Q. Which gas is released when zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid?
Answer:
Hydrogen gas is released, and zinc chloride is formed.
$$Zn + 2HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2$$
Q. Why does iron displace copper from copper sulphate solution?
Answer:
Iron is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from copper sulphate solution.
Q. What is the reactivity series?
Answer:
The reactivity series is an arrangement of metals in decreasing order of their chemical reactivity.
Conclusion
Class 10 Science Chapter 3 – Metals and Non-metal introduces important physical properties, chemical reactions and the reactivity series. Practising these original questions can help students strengthen their understanding of chemical equations and displacement reactions.
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