Class 10 Science · Chapter 3

Metals and Non-metals

344 Class 10 Science questions on Metals and Non-metals from the NCERT textbook, NCERT Exemplar and CBSE board papers 2017–2026, each with its answer and a step-by-step solution.

CBSE Class 10 Science previous year papers, with answers →

Questions · page 11 of 18

1. Q201 CBSE 2024
   Consider the following cases ​:

   1. (a)${\text{CaSO}}_4+\text{Al}⟶$
   2. (b)${\text{CuSO}}_4+\text{Ca}⟶$
   3. (c)${\text{FeSO}}_4+\text{Cu}⟶$
   4. (d)${\text{ZnSO}}_4+\text{Mg}⟶$ The cases ​in which ​new ​products will ​form are –

   1. (a)(a) and (b)
   2. (b)(b) and (c)
   3. (c)(c) and (d)
   4. (d)(b) and (d)
   Show answer

   (d) (b) and (d)

   Step-by-step solution →
2. Q202 CBSE 2024
   Which ​of the ​following is an alloy ​of ​copper and tin ​?

   1. (a)Nichrome
   2. (b)Brass
   3. (c)Constantan
   4. (d)Bronze
   Show answer

   (d) Bronze

   Step-by-step solution →
3. Q203 CBSE 2024
   A metal ‘X’ ​is used ​in thermit process. When ​‘X’ is heated with oxygen, it ​gives an oxide ​‘Y’, which is amphoteric ​in nature. ‘X’ ​and ‘Y’ respectively are :

   1. (a)$\text{Mn},{\text{MnO}}_2$
   2. (b)$\text{Al},{\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_3$
   3. (c)$\text{Fe},{\text{Fe}}_2{\text{O}}_3$
   4. (d)$\text{Mg},\text{MgO}$
   Show answer

   (b) $\text{Al},{\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_3$

   Step-by-step solution →
4. Q204 CBSE 2024
   Oxides ​of aluminium ​and zinc ​are ​:

   1. (a)acidic
   2. (b)basic
   3. (c)amphoteric
   4. (d)neutral
   Show answer

   (c) amphoteric

   Step-by-step solution →
5. Q205 CBSE 2024
   The ​most reactive ​metal ​among the following towards cold water ​is ​:

   1. (a)Aluminium
   2. (b)Potassium
   3. (c)Sodium
   4. (d)Calcium
   Show answer

   (b) Potassium

   Step-by-step solution →
6. Q206 CBSE 2024
   Two statements are given – ​one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled ​as Reason (R). Select ​the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), ​(b), (c) and (d) as ​given below :

   Assertion (A): Hydrogen gas is not evolved when zinc reacts with nitric acid.

   Reason (R): Nitric acid oxidises the hydrogen gas produced to water and itself gets reduced.

   1. (a)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
   2. (b)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
   3. (c)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
   4. (d)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
   Show answer

   (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

   Step-by-step solution →
7. Q207 CBSE 2024
   These questions consist of ​two ​statements – Assertion (A) ​and Reason (R). Answer these questions selecting ​the ​appropriate option given ​below :

   Assertion (A): Different metals have different reactivities with water and dilute acids.

   Reason (R): Extraction of a metal from its ore depends on its position in the reactivity series.

   1. (a)Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
   2. (b)Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
   3. (c)(A) is true, but (R) is false.
   4. (d)(A) is false, but (R) is true.
   Show answer

   (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

   Step-by-step solution →
8. Q208 CBSE 2024
   These questions consist of two statements ​– Assertion (A) and ​Reason (R). ​Answer ​these questions ​selecting the appropriate option ​given below :

   Assertion (A): Carbon reduces the oxides of Sodium and Magnesium.

   Reason (R): Sodium and Magnesium have more affinity for Oxygen than Carbon.

   1. (a)Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
   2. (b)Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
   3. (c)(A) is true, but (R) is false.
   4. (d)(A) is false, but (R) is true.
   Show answer

   (d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

   Step-by-step solution →
9. Q209 CBSE 2024
   Q. ​Nos. ​17 to 20 consists of ​two ​statements ​– Assertion (A) and Reason (R), ​answer these questions selecting the appropriate option given below :

   Assertion (A): A piece of Zinc metal gets reddish brown coating when kept in copper sulphate solution for some time.

   Reason (R): Copper is more reactive metal than Zinc.

   1. (a)Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
   2. (b)Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not correct explanation of (A).
   3. (c)(A) is true, but (R) is false.
   4. (d)(A) is false, but (R) is true.
   Show answer

   (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

   Step-by-step solution →
10. Q210 CBSE 2024
    Q. 17 to 20 consists of two statements – Assertion ​(A) ​and Reason (R), answer ​these questions selecting the ​appropriate ​option given ​below :

    Assertion (A): Oxides of metals show basic characters.

    Reason (R): Oxides of metals react with acid to form salt and water.

    1. (a)Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
    2. (b)Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not correct explanation of (A).
    3. (c)(A) is true, but (R) is false.
    4. (d)(A) is false, but (R) is true.
    Show answer

    (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

    Step-by-step solution →
11. Q211 CBSE 2024
    For ​Questions ​number 17 to 20, two statements are given — one labelled as Assertion ​(A) and the other labelled as Reason ​(R). ​Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), ​(b), (c) and (d) ​as given below.

    Assertion (A): The extraction of metals from their sulphide ores cannot take place without roasting of the ore.

    Reason (R): Roasting converts sulphide ores directly into metals.

    1. (a)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
    2. (b)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
    3. (c)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
    4. (d)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
    Show answer

    (c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

    Step-by-step solution →
12. Q212 CBSE 2024
    For Questions number 17 and 20, two statements ​are ​given — one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled ​as ​Reason ​(R). Select the correct answer to these questions from ​the codes (a), (b), (c) and ​(d) as given below.

    Assertion (A): Silver oxide is an amphoteric oxide.

    Reason (R): Metal oxides which react with both acids as well as bases are called amphoteric oxides.

    1. (a)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
    2. (b)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
    3. (c)Assertion (A) is true and Reason (R) is false.
    4. (d)Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true.
    Show answer

    (d) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true.

    Step-by-step solution →
13. Q213 CBSE 2024
    Two ​statements ​are given — ​one labelled Assertion (A) and the other ​labelled Reason (R). Select the ​correct ​answer ​from the codes ​(a), (b), (c) and (d) as given below.

    Assertion (A): Calcium oxide is an amphoteric oxide.

    Reason (R): Metal oxides which react with both acids as well as bases to form salt and water are called amphoteric oxides.

    1. (a)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
    2. (b)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
    3. (c)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
    4. (d)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
    Show answer

    (d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

    Step-by-step solution →
14. Q214 CBSE 2024
    Q. Nos. 17 ​to 20 are Assertion – Reason ​based questions : These questions consist of two ​statements ​– Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer these questions selecting ​the ​appropriate option given below :

    Assertion (A): Metals in the middle of activity series are found in nature as sulphides or carbonates.

    Reason (R): The sulphide ores are calcinated whereas carbonate ores are roasted to extract metals from them.

    1. (a)Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
    2. (b)Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
    3. (c)(A) is true, but (R) is false.
    4. (d)(A) is false, but (R) is true.
    Show answer

    (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

    Step-by-step solution →
15. Q215 CBSE 2024
    Define the terms ductility and malleability. Name ​an ​element ​which exhibits both of ​these properties giving ​justification for ​your answer.
    Show answer

    Ductility is the ability to be drawn into wires and malleability the ability to be beaten into sheets; gold shows both.

    Ductility is the property of a metal by which it can be drawn into thin wires. Malleability is the property of a metal by which it can be beaten into thin sheets. Gold shows both: it is the most ductile metal (a wire about $2$ km long can be drawn from $1$ g of gold), and it is among the most malleable metals, beaten into extremely thin sheets (gold leaf). Silver, copper or aluminium, justified by their wires and their sheets or foil, are also correct.

    Step-by-step solution →
16. Q216 CBSE 2024
    A metal exists in nature in the form ​of common salt. Name the metal. ​Give reason ​why this metal cannot be obtained from its compounds by heating ​with ​carbon. Name the method by which ​it ​is obtained from its compound.
    Show answer

    Sodium; being very reactive it cannot be reduced by carbon, so it is obtained by electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.

    The metal is sodium (common salt is sodium chloride, $\text{NaCl}$). Sodium is very high in the activity series and has more affinity for oxygen than carbon, so carbon cannot reduce its compounds to the metal. It is obtained by electrolytic reduction: electrolysis of molten sodium chloride, in which sodium is deposited at the cathode (${\text{Na}}^{+}+{\text{e}}^{-}\to \text{Na}$) and chlorine is given off at the anode.

    Step-by-step solution →
17. Q217 CBSE 2024
    When ​a ​strip of aluminium metal is dipped in a solution of ferrous sulphate, the pale green colour of the solution ​fades ​away. State ​the conclusion ​you can draw from this ​observation. Write chemical equation for the reaction that occurs ​in this case.
    Show answer

    Aluminium is more reactive than iron and displaces it from ferrous sulphate: $2\text{Al}+3{\text{FeSO}}_4\to {\text{Al}}_2({\text{SO}}_4{)}_3+3\text{Fe}$.

    Conclusion: Aluminium is more reactive than iron (it lies above iron in the reactivity series), so it displaces iron from ferrous sulphate solution. The pale green ferrous sulphate is replaced by colourless aluminium sulphate and iron is set free; this is a displacement reaction. Equation: $2\text{Al}(\text{s})+3{\text{FeSO}}_4(\text{aq})\to {\text{Al}}_2({\text{SO}}_4{)}_3(\text{aq})+3\text{Fe}(\text{s})$.

    Step-by-step solution →
18. Q218 CBSE 2024
    It ​is observed ​that Calcium on ​reaction with water ​floats ​on its surface. Explain why it happens. Also write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction that occurs. What happens when the aqueous solution of the product of this reaction reacts with Carbon dioxide ​gas ? Write a balanced chemical ​equation for the reaction.
    Show answer

    Hydrogen bubbles stick to calcium and make it float; carbon dioxide turns the lime water milky by forming insoluble calcium carbonate.

    Calcium reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas: $\text{Ca}(\text{s})+2{\text{H}}_2\text{O}(\text{l})\to {\text{Ca(OH)}}_2(\text{aq})+{\text{H}}_2(\text{g})$. It floats because the bubbles of hydrogen gas formed stick to the surface of the metal and buoy it up. When carbon dioxide reacts with the aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide (lime water), the solution turns milky because white calcium carbonate, which is insoluble in water, is formed: ${\text{Ca(OH)}}_2(\text{aq})+{\text{CO}}_2(\text{g})\to {\text{CaCO}}_3(\text{s})+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}(\text{l})$.

    Step-by-step solution →
19. Q219 CBSE 2024
    1. (a)Sodium metal is stored under kerosene oil. Why ?
    2. (b)Some metal oxides are soluble in ​water. What are the aqueous solutions of ​these oxides called ? ​Write one example of such ​a solution.
    3. (c)At ​ordinary temperature the surface of metals such as magnesium, aluminium, zinc ​etc. ​is covered with a thin layer. What is the composition of this layer ? State its importance.
    Show answer

    Sodium is kept in kerosene to cut it off from air; soluble oxides give alkalis; the surface layer is oxide, which protects the metal.

    (a) Sodium is highly reactive: it reacts vigorously with the oxygen and moisture of the air and can catch fire, so it is kept immersed in kerosene, with which it does not react, to cut it off from air and prevent accidents. (b) The aqueous solutions of soluble metal oxides are called alkalis; for example, sodium oxide dissolves to give sodium hydroxide solution, ${\text{Na}}_2\text{O}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}\to 2\text{NaOH}$. (c) The thin layer is the oxide of the metal, for example ${\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_3$ on aluminium, formed by reaction with the oxygen of the air; it protects the metal from further oxidation.

    Step-by-step solution →
20. Q220 CBSE 2024
    State reasons for ​the following :

    1. (a)Zinc ​oxide is an ​amphoteric ​oxide.
    2. (b)Sodium metal is stored in bottle filled with ​kerosene oil.
    3. (c)In the reactions ​of nitric acid with ​metals, generally ​hydrogen gas is not evolved.
    Show answer

    ZnO reacts with both acids and bases; sodium is kept in kerosene to cut it off from air; nitric acid oxidises the hydrogen formed.

    (a) Zinc oxide reacts with both acids and bases to form a salt and water, so it shows basic as well as acidic behaviour: $\text{ZnO}+2\text{HCl}\to {\text{ZnCl}}_2+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$ and $\text{ZnO}+2\text{NaOH}\to {\text{Na}}_2{\text{ZnO}}_2+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$. Hence it is an amphoteric oxide. (b) Sodium is very reactive: it reacts vigorously with the oxygen and moisture of the air and can catch fire if kept in the open. It does not react with kerosene, so it is kept immersed in kerosene oil to cut it off from air and moisture. (c) Nitric acid is a strong oxidising agent: it oxidises the hydrogen produced to water and is itself reduced to an oxide of nitrogen (${\text{N}}_2\text{O}$, $\text{NO}$ or ${\text{NO}}_2$), so hydrogen gas is generally not evolved (magnesium and manganese with very dilute nitric acid are the exceptions).

    Step-by-step solution →