3 Metals and Non-metals

"High resistance to
corrosion, high melting
point and high strength
makes titanium and
zirconium perfect to
design aircraft frames.
They are known as
strategic metals."

1. Introduction
Everything around us is made up of different elements.
The four most
These elements can be classified into metals or non- abundant elements by
metals on the basis of their properties. A few elements mass in the human
have properties common to both metals and non-metals. body are oxygen
These are called semi-metals or metalloids. (65%), carbon (18%),
hydrogen (10%) and
2. Physical properties nitrogen (3%).
(I) Metals
(1) Lustre of metals
Most of the metals, in their pure state, have a shining surface. This property is called metallic
lustre.
For example, gold is shining yellow, copper is brown, iron, aluminium and zinc are lustrous
grey.

Aim
To check that metals have lustre i.e. a shining surface.
Materials required
Samples of iron, copper, aluminium and magnesium, sand paper.
Method Lustrous appearance of
(i) Take samples of iron, copper, aluminium and magnesium. metals makes them suitable
Note the appearance of each sample. for making jewellery.
(ii) Clean the surface of each sample by rubbing them with sand
paper and note their appearance again.
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NCERT Basics: Class 10
Observation
The surface of the metals is dull because they are covered with a
layer of oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, etc. due to the attack of
gases present in the air on their surface. On rubbing the surface Sodium and Potassium
are so soft that they
with sand paper this layer is removed and a shining surface
can be cut by a knife.
appears. Hardest metal is
Conclusion Chromium and
softest metal is Cesium.
Metals in the pure state (or freshly prepared or cut) have shining
surface.
(2) Hardness of metals
Most of the metals are hard, but all metals are not equally hard. The hardness of metal varies
from metal to metal.

Aim
To test that metals are hard and hardness varies from metal to metal.
Materials required
Small pieces of iron, copper, aluminium and magnesium, knife, tong.
Method
(i) Take small piece of iron, copper, aluminium and magnesium. Try to cut these metals with a
sharp knife.
(ii) Hold a piece of sodium metal with a pair of tongs.
Caution
Always handle sodium metal with care. Dry it by pressing
between the folds of a filter paper.
Put it on a watch glass and try to cut it with a knife.
Observation and conclusion
All the four metals (Fe, Cu, Al and Mg) are found to be cut with
difficulty. This shows that metals are hard. The ease of cutting is
found to be in the order Mg > Al > Cu > Fe. This shows that Being highly malleable,
hardness varies from metal to metal. Sodium can be cut very silver foil is used for
wrapping sweets and
easily. Hence sodium is soft, i.e., it is an exception. chocolates.
(3) Malleability of metals
The property according to which metals can be beaten with a hammer into very thin sheets
without breaking is called malleability.
Gold and silver are the most malleable metals. Aluminium and copper are also highly
malleable metals.
All of these metals can be beaten with a hammer to form very thin sheets, called foil.

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 Chemistry

Aim
To test that metals are malleable, i.e. can be hammered into
sheets. Malleability capacity
of different metals can
Materials required be attributed to the
Pieces of iron, zinc, lead and copper, block of iron, hammer. strength of the metallic
bond and depends
Method
upon the extent of force
(i) Take piece of iron, zinc, lead and copper. that is applied.
(ii) Place any one metal on the block of iron and strike it four or
five times with a hammer.
(iii) Repeat with other metals.
(iv) Record the change in shape of these metals.
Observation and conclusion
It is observed that metals can be beaten into thin sheets i.e. they are malleable.
(4) Ductility of metals
Ductility is also an important property of metals. The ability of metals to be drawn
(stretched) into thin wires is called ductility. Generally, wires are made up of iron, copper
and aluminium. For example, 100 mg of silver can be drawn into a thin wire of about 200
metres length.
Copper and aluminium are also very ductile, and therefore, they can be drawn into thin wires
which are used in electrical wiring.

Aim
To justify that metals are ductile i.e. can be drawn into wire.
Materials required
Metal pieces of iron, copper, aluminium, lead, etc.
Method
(i) Consider some metals such as iron, copper, aluminium, lead, etc.
(ii) Check which of these metals are available in the form of wire.
Observation and conclusion
As wires of iron, copper and aluminium are easily available, this shows that metals can be drawn
into wires i.e., they are ductile.
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NCERT Basics: Class 10
(5) Thermal conductivity of metals
The process in which a metal allows the flow of heat through it is called its thermal
conductivity. Most of the metals are good conductors of heat, such as silver, gold, iron,
copper and aluminium.

Aim
To test that metals are good conductors of heat and have high
melting point. Silver is the best
conductor of heat and
Materials required lead is the poorest
Aluminium or copper wire, pins, wax, spirit lamp, candle or a burner. conductor of heat.
Good thermal
Method conductivity of metals
(i) Take an aluminium or copper wire. Clamp the wire on a stand. makes them suitable
for wire and utensil
(ii) Fix a pin to the free end of the wire using wax. making.
(iii) Heat the wire with a spirit lamp, candle or a burner near the place
where it is clamped.

Metal wire Stand

Stand
Metal wire
Free end
Free end Clamp
Clamp
of wire
of wire
Wax
Wax

Pin
Pin
Burner
Burner

Metals conduct heat very easily

Now answer
(i) Does the metal wire melt?
Observation and conclusion
We observe that on heating the wire near the clamp, after some time the pin falls down. This shows
that heat flows through the wire and melts the wax. Further, the wire does not melt even after
heating for a long time. This shows that metals have high melting points.
(6) Electrical conductivity of metals
The property in which metal facilitates the flow of electric current through it is called
electrical conductivity. All metals are good conductors of electricity because they contain
free or mobile electrons. These free electrons conduct electric current.

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 Chemistry

Aim
To test that metals are good conductor of electricity.
Materials required
Electric circuit, metal piece.
Battery
Bulb Silver is the best
conductor of electricity.
Since silver is expensive,
therefore, copper and
Clips Switch
aluminium are
A B commonly used for
Insert sample making electric wires.
to be tested

Metals conduct electricity

Method
(i) Set up an electric circuit as shown in figure.
(ii) Place the metal to be tested in the circuit between terminals A and B as shown in the figure.
Now answer
Does the bulb glow? What does this indicate?
Observation and discussion
The bulb glows. This shows that electric current flows through the metal.
Conclusion
Metals are good conductor of electricity.
(7) Sonorous
The property of metals in which metals produce sound when they strike a hard object or
other surface is called sonority or sonorisity. Some metals like copper, silver, gold,
aluminium give musical sound when they are struck by themselves or any other object.

Sonorous
Hard Lusture

Thermal Electrical
METALS
conductance conductance
Ductile Malleable
High M.P.
& B.P.

Note: Difference in properties of different materials is based on their internal structures.

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NCERT Basics: Class 10
(II) Non-metals
Among the total known elements, there are only 22 non-metals, out of which 11 are gases
like oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, one is a liquid (bromine) and the rest 10 are solids such as
sulphur, phosphorus, iodine and the allotropes of carbon (diamond and graphite).
Do non-metals also have physical properties similar to that of metals?
Let us find out.

Aim Lead and mercury offer

To study the physical properties of non-metals. greater resistance to
the flow of current.
Materials required Therefore, they have
Samples of carbon, sulphur, iodine, hammer, knife, battery, etc. low electrical
conductivities.
Method
(i) Collect samples of carbon (coal or graphite), sulphur and iodine.
(ii) Carry out the activities 1 to 6 with these non-metals.
Observation
Type of Hard- Malle-
Element Symbol Ductility Conduction Sonority
surface ness ability
Heat Electricity
Carbon
C Lustrous Soft No No Yes Yes No
(graphite)
Non-
Sulphur S Soft No No No No No
lustrous
Iodine I Lustrous Soft No No No No No
Conclusion
Non-metals possess different properties than metals.
The important physical properties of non-metals are given below :
(1) Non-metals may be solids (such as sulphur, phosphorus and diamond), liquid (bromine),
or gases (such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, neon, argon, etc.) at room temperature.
(2) Non-metals are usually brittle and cannot be used to make sheets and wires.
(3) Non-metals are non-lustrous and cannot be polished. (Exception : Graphite and iodine are
lustrous non-metals).
(4) Non-metals are generally bad conductor of heat and electricity.
Exception : Graphite is a good conductor of electricity. Non-metals do not conduct the
electric current due to absence of mobile electrons.
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 Chemistry
(5) Non-metals can be easily broken due to their low tensile strength.
(6) Non-metals are generally light and have low densities.
(7) Unlike metals, non-metals do not produce any ringing sound when struck with an object.
(8) Non-metals are soft (Exception : Diamond)
(9) Non-metals have low melting and boiling points.
(Exception : Graphite has very high melting point (3730°C))
On the basis of the above discussion of the physical properties of metals and non-metals, we have
concluded that elements cannot be grouped according to the physical properties alone, as there
are many exceptions.
Note: Allotropes differ in physical properties but have almost similar chemical properties.

1. Name one metal and one non-metal that exist in liquid state at room
temperature. Also name two metals having melting point less than 310
K (37°C).
2. A non-metal A is an important constituent of our food and forms two
Gallium metal has
oxides B and C. Oxide B is neutral whereas C causes global warming. such a low melting
Identify A, B and C. point (30°C) that it
Some exceptions melts with the heat
of a hand.
(i) All metals except mercury are solid at room temperature. We know
that metals have very high melting points but gallium (Ga) and cesium (Cs) have very low
melting points. These two metals will melt if we keep them on our palm.
(ii) Iodine is a non-metal but it is lustrous.
(iii) Alkali metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium are so soft, that they can be easily cut
with a knife i.e. they have low densities and low melting points.
(iv) Carbon is a non-metal that can exist in different forms. Each form is called an allotrope.
Diamond, an allotrope of carbon is the hardest natural substance, which has very high
melting and boiling point. Graphite is another allotrope of carbon which is good conductor
of electricity.

Low M.P.
& B.P.
Brittle Soft

Low density Non-Metals Non-lustrous

Non-conductor Non sonorous

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NCERT Basics: Class 10

1. Metal mercury (Hg) and non-metal bromine (Br2) exist in liquid state at room temperature.
The two metals with melting point less than 310 K are cesium (Cs) and gallium (Ga).
2. The non-metal A is carbon. B is carbon monoxide (CO), C is carbon dioxide (CO2)
Nature of oxides
Elements can be more clearly classified as metals and non-metal on the basis of their chemical
properties.

Aim
To show that metal oxides are basic while non-metal oxides are acidic.
Materials required
Magnesium ribbon, sulphur powder, burner, china dish, red and blue litmus paper, test tubes,
water.
Method
(i) Take a magnesium ribbon and some sulphur powder.
(ii) Burn the magnesium ribbon. Collect the ashes formed and dissolve them in water.
(iii) Test the resultant solution with both red and blue litmus paper.
(iv) Now burn sulphur powder. Place a test tube over the burning sulphur.
(v) Add some water to the above test tube and shake.
(vi) Test this solution with blue and red litmus paper.
Now answer
(i) Are the products formed on burning magnesium and sulphur acidic or basic?
(ii) Can you write equations for these reactions?
Observation and discussion
The solution obtained on dissolving ashes after burning magnesium turns red litmus blue whereas
solution obtained on dissolving gases from burning sulphur turns blue litmus red. This shows that
magnesium oxide (MgO) is basic while oxides of sulphur (SO2, SO3) are acidic.
The reactions are:
2Mg(s) + O2(g) ⎯→ 2MgO(s)
Magnesium Oxygen Magnesium oxide
MgO(s) + H2O() ⎯→ Mg(OH)2(aq)
Magnesium Water Magnesium
Oxide hydroxide
S(s) + O2 (g) ⎯→ SO2(g)
Sulphur Oxygen Sulphur dioxide
SO2(g) + H2O() ⎯→ H2SO3(aq)
Sulphur dioxide Water Sulphurous acid
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 Chemistry
Conclusion
Metal oxides are ionic and basic in nature, whereas non-metallic oxides are covalent and acidic in
nature.
For example, Na2O, K2O are ionic and CO2, NO2 are covalent.
Some of the non-metal oxides are neutral in nature like H2O, CO, N2O and NO.
3. Chemical properties of metals
We have studied the physical characteristics of metals.
Now let us focus our attention on their chemical Lithium cannot be
properties. Metals in general have tendency to lose one or stored in kerosene oil
because it is the lightest
more electrons present in the valence shells of their atoms
metal and it floats on its
to form positive ions. Metals are therefore, regarded as surface and reacts with
electropositive elements. air. Thus, it is kept
wrapped in paraffin
M → Mn + + ne–
⎯⎯
( metal atom) ( metal ion ) wax.
The chemical properties of the metals are mostly linked with
the electron releasing tendency of their atoms. Greater the tendency, more will be the
reactivity of the metal.
(1) Reaction of metal with oxygen
Almost all metals combine with oxygen to form metal oxides. But they possess different
reactivity towards oxygen.

Aim
To study the burning of metals in air to form oxides.
Materials required
Samples of sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper and aluminium, tong, burner, china dish.
Method
(i) Take samples of sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper and aluminium.
(ii) Hold sample with a pair of tongs and try to burn it over the flame. Repeat with other metal
samples.
(iii) Collect the products if formed.
(iv) Let the products and the metal surface cool down.
Now answer
(i) Which metals burn easily?
(ii) What flame colour did you observe when the metal burns?
(iii) Arrange the metals in the decreasing order of their reactivity towards oxygen. Are the
products soluble in water?
(iv) How does the metal surface appear after burning?
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NCERT Basics: Class 10
Observation and discussion
Sodium and potassium react vigorously with oxygen.
4Na(s) + O2(g) ⎯→ 2Na2O(s)
4K(s) + O2(g) ⎯→ 2K2O(s)
Sodium and potassium burns with a golden yellow and lilac colour flame respectively to form
sodium and potassium oxides, which dissolve with water to form alkali called sodium hydroxide
and potassium hydroxide.
Na2O(s) + H2O() ⎯→ 2NaOH(aq)
K2O(s) + H2O() ⎯→ 2KOH(aq)
Magnesium also burns easily, to form magnesium oxide.
2Mg(s) + O2(g) ⎯→ 2MgO(s)
Copper and Aluminium do not burn but on heating in air form
black copper (II) oxide and white aluminium oxide (Al2O3) Due to high reactivity
respectively. of Na and K with
oxygen, they are kept in
2Cu(s) + O2(g) ⎯→ 2CuO(s) kerosene. If they are
Copper Copper (II) oxide (Black) kept in air they will
4Al(s) + 3O2(g) ⎯→ 2Al2O3(s) react with oxygen to
form their respective
Aluminium Aluminium oxide (White) oxides.
These metal oxides are found to be insoluble in water.
The order of reactivity with oxygen is :
K > Na > Mg > Al > Cu
At ordinary temperature, the surfaces of metals such as magnesium, zinc and lead, etc. are covered
with a thin layer of the oxide. The protective layer of the oxide prevents the metal from further
oxidation.
Conclusion
Almost all metals combine with oxygen to form metal oxides.
Metal + Oxygen ⎯→ Metal oxide
Nature of metallic oxide
Generally, metallic oxides are basic in nature except aluminium and zinc oxides which are
amphoteric in nature. That means these oxides (Al2O3, ZnO) react with base as well as acid. The
basic oxide of metals react with acid to give salt.
For example,
CuO(s) + H2SO4() ⎯→ CuSO4(aq) + H2O()
Copper(II) Sulphuric Copper(II) Water
oxide acid sulphate

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 Chemistry
Some oxides of metals dissolve in water and form alkalis.
For example,
Na2O(s) + H2O() ⎯→ 2NaOH(aq)
Sodium oxide Water Sodium hydroxide
K2O(s) + H2O() ⎯→ 2KOH (aq)
Potassium oxide Water Potassium hydroxide
Reactions showing amphoteric nature of Al2O3 and ZnO.
Al2O3(s) + 6HCl(aq) ⎯→ 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O()
Aluminium Hydrochloric Aluminium Water
oxide acid chloride
Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH(aq) ⎯→ 2NaAlO2(aq) + H2O()
Aluminium Sodium hydroxide Sodium meta Water
oxide (base) aluminate
Similarly,
ZnO(s) + 2HCl(aq) ⎯→ ZnCl2(aq) + H2O()
Zinc Hydrochloric Zinc Water
oxide acid chloride
ZnO(s) + 2NaOH(aq) ⎯→ Na2ZnO2(aq) + H2O()
Zinc oxide Sodium hydroxide Sodium zincate Water

 Nature of oxides
Oxides Nature Examples
Metal oxide Basic in nature CaO, MgO, CuO etc.
Non-metal oxide Acidic in nature CO2, SO2, SO3 etc.
Amphoteric oxide Acidic and basic ZnO, Al2O3, SnO and PbO
Neutral oxide Neutral H2O, CO, N2O and NO
(2) Reaction of metals with water
Metal reacts with water and produce a metal oxide and hydrogen gas. Metal oxides that are
soluble in water dissolve in it to form metal hydroxide. But all metals do not react with water.
Metal + Water ⎯→ Metal oxide + Hydrogen gas
(Steam)

Metal oxide + Water ⎯→ Metal hydroxide + Hydrogen gas

(Cold/Boiling)

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NCERT Basics: Class 10
The following activity clears this reaction properly.

10
Anodising is a process
of forming a thick
Aim oxide layer of
aluminium. This oxide
To study the reactivity of metals with water.
coat of aluminium
(Al) makes it resistant
to further corrosion.

 This activity needs teacher's assistance.

Materials required
Samples of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper, beaker, cold water, hot
water, burner, glass wool, test tube.
Method
(i) Collect the samples of sodium, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, zinc and copper.
(ii) Put small piece of the samples separately in beakers half-
filled with cold water.
(iii) Put the metals that do not react with cold water in beaker
Warning sign displayed on
half-filled with hot water. containers containing
(iv) For the metals that do not react with hot water, arrange the concentrated acids and
bases.
apparatus (to produce steam) and observe their reaction
with steam.
Metals sample
Metal sample
Hydrogen
Hydrogen
Glass wool
Glass wool
soaked in water
soaked in water Cork
Cork
Water
Water
Burner Delivery
Delivery
Burner Stand
Stand
tube
tube

Action of steam on a metal

Now answer
(i) Which metals reacted with cold water? Arrange them in the increasing order of their
reactivity with cold water.
(ii) Did any metal produce fire on water?
(iii) Does any metal start floating after some time?
(iv) Which metals reacted with steam?
(v) Which metals did not react even with steam?

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 Chemistry
Observation and discussion
(i) Na and K metals react vigorously with cold water to form NaOH and KOH respectively and
H2 gas is liberated.
2Na(s) + 2H2O() ⎯⎯→ 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
Sodium Cold water Sodium hydroxide Hydrogen gas
(ii) 2K(s) + 2H2O() ⎯⎯→ 2KOH(aq) + H2(g)
Potassium Cold water Potassium hydroxide Hydrogen gas
These reactions are so violent and exothermic that the H2 gas evolved, catches fire.
Calcium reacts with cold water to form Ca(OH)2 and H2 gas. It is less violent.
Ca(s) + 2H2O() ⎯⎯→ Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
Calcium Cold water Calcium hydroxide Hydrogen gas
(iii) Magnesium reacts with hot boiling water to form Mg(OH)2 and H2 gas.
Mg(s) + 2H2O() ⎯⎯→ Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
Magnesium Boiling water Magnesium hydroxide Hydrogen gas
Magnesium and calcium floats on surface of water due to bubbles of H2 gas sticking on its
surface.
(iv) Aluminium does not react either with cold or hot water. But it reacts only with steam to form
aluminium oxide and hydrogen gas.
2Al(s) + 3H2O(g) ⎯⎯→ Al2O3(s) + 3H2(g)
Aluminium Steam Aluminium oxide Hydrogen gas
Similarly, zinc reacts with steam to form zinc oxide and H2 gas.
Zn(s) + H2O(g) ⎯⎯→ ZnO(s) + H2(g)
Zinc Steam Zinc oxide Hydrogen gas
(v) Copper do not react with water even under strong conditions. The above reactions indicate
that sodium and potassium are the most reactive metals while copper is less reactive, metals
such as lead, copper, silver and gold do not react with water at all.
Conclusion
The reactivity order of these metals with water are
K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu
Reactivity with water decreases ⎯→

(a) (b) (c)

The reaction (a) Potassium metal (stored in mineral oil to prevent oxidation) and (b) water. (c)
The reaction of potassium with water. The flame occurs because of the produced hydrogen gas.
(H2(g) burns in air which reacts with O2(g), at the high temperature)

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NCERT Basics: Class 10
(3) Reaction of metals with acids
The highly reactive metals react with dilute acid to displace hydrogen from acid and give a
salt.
Metal + Dilute acid ⎯→ Salt + Hydrogen
The reactivity of different metals is different with same acid. This is made clear by the
following activity.

11

Aim
To study the reaction of metals with acids.

 Do not take sodium and potassium in this activity as they react vigorously even with cold
water.
Materials required
Samples of magnesium, aluminium, iron, copper, test tubes, dilute hydrochloric acid,
thermometers.
Method
(i) Put the samples of Mg, Al, Fe and Cu separately in test tubes containing dilute hydrochloric
acid.
(ii) Suspend thermometers in the test tubes so that their bulbs are dipped in the acid.
(iii) Observe the rate of formation of bubbles carefully.
Now answer
(i) Which metals reacted vigorously with dilute hydrochloric acid?
(ii) With which metal did you record the highest temperature?
(iii) Arrange the metals in the decreasing order of reactivity with dilute acids.
Observation and discussion
In the test tube which contains Mg, the hydrogen bubbles appear very rapidly.
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) ⎯⎯→ MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Magnesium Hydrochloric acid Magnesium chloride Hydrogen
In the test tubes containing Al and Zn, reaction with acid is fast.
2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) ⎯⎯→ 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)
Aluminium Hydrochloric acid Aluminium chloride Hydrogen
The reaction between Fe and acid is slow.
Fe(s) + 2HCl(aq) ⎯⎯→ FeCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Iron Hydrochloric acid Ferrous chloride Hydrogen

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 Chemistry
No reaction is observed in the test tube which contain Cu and dil HCl.
Cu(s) + HCl(aq) ⎯⎯→ No reaction ()
Copper Hydrochloric acid
Temperature was found to rise in case of all the metals that reacted with dilute acid showing that
reaction is exothermic. The rise in temperature is maximum in case of magnesium.
Conclusion
The order of reactivity with dilute HCl is : Mg > Al > Fe > Cu
Important information
Hydrogen gas is not evolved when metals such as Zn, Fe, Cu and Al react with nitric acid. Because
HNO3 is strong oxidising agent. It oxidises H2 gas to water and is itself reduced to oxides of
nitrogen (NO, N2O and NO2).
3Fe(s) + 8HNO3(aq) ⎯→ 3Fe(NO3)2(aq) + 4H2O() + 2NO(g)
Iron Nitric acid (dil) Iron(II) nitrate Water Nitric oxide
3Cu(s) + 8HNO3(aq) ⎯→ 3Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 4H2O() + 2NO(g)
Copper Nitric acid Copper nitrate Water Nitric oxide
But copper reacts with hot concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) to produce copper sulphate,
sulphur dioxide and water.
Cu(s) + 2H2SO4(aq) ⎯→ CuSO4(aq) + SO2(g) + 2H2O()
Copper Sulphuric acid Copper sulphate Sulphur dioxide Water
Mg reacts with very dilute HNO3 to evolve H2 gas.
Mg(s) + 2HNO3(aq) ⎯→ Mg(NO3)2(aq) + H2(g)
Magnesium Nitric acid (dil) Magnesium nitrate Hydrogen
Fe reacts with dil H2SO4 to evolve H2.
Fe(s) + dil H2SO4 ⎯→ FeSO4(aq) + H2(g)
Iron Sulphuric acid Ferrous sulphate Hydrogen

 Aqua Regia (Royal water): Aqua regia is a Latin word it means "royal water". It is a freshly
prepared mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid in the ratio
of 3 : 1. It is a highly corrosive, fuming liquid and is used to dissolve gold and platinum.
HCl : HNO3 – 3 : 1
(4) Reaction of metal with solutions of other metal salts
When a more reactive metal is placed in a salt solution of less reactive metal, then the more
reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from its salt solution. This reaction is also
known as displacement reaction.

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NCERT Basics: Class 10
Let us learn it with the help of following activity.

12

Aim It may be noted that

To study the reaction of metals with solutions of other metal hydrogen is not a
salts. metal but even then it
Materials required has been placed in the
reactivity series
Clean wire of copper, iron nail, solution of iron sulphate, solution of because hydrogen can
copper sulphate, test tubes. also lose electron and
Method form positive ion H+
(i) Take a clean wire of copper and an iron nail. like metals.
(ii) Put the copper wire in a solution of iron sulphate and the iron
nail in a solution of copper sulphate taken in test tubes.
(iii) Record your observations after 20 minutes.
Cork
thread
Test tube stand
Test tube
Iron nail Copper wire
Copper Iron sulphate solution
sulphate
solution

Iron nail

Reaction of metals with salt solutions.

Now answer
(i) In which test tube did you find that a reaction has occurred?
(ii) On what basis can you say that a reaction has actually taken place?
(iii) Can you correlate observations for the Activities 9, 10 and 11?
(iv) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction that has taken place. Name the type of
reaction.
Observation and discussion
Reaction is found to occur in the tube containing iron nail dipped in copper sulphate solution. This
is because in this tube, blue colour of copper sulphate solution fades and light green colour due to
formation of iron (II) sulphate appears. Moreover, a brown deposit of copper takes place on iron
nail. Thus, the following reaction takes place.
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) ⎯→ FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
Iron Copper sulphate Iron (II) sulphate Copper
(Blue) (Green) (Brown)
Conclusion
Iron is more reactive than copper and displaces copper from copper sulphate solution. But, as
copper is less reactive than iron, so it will not displace iron from iron sulphate solution. In general,
a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its salt in the solution.

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 Chemistry

 Metal A + salt solution of metal B → salt solution of metal A + metal B.

(only if metal A is more reactive than metal B)
Let us discuss one more example of displacement reaction.
Reaction of copper with silver nitrate solution
When a strip of copper metal is placed in a solution of AgNO3, the solution becomes gradually blue
due to the formation of copper nitrate and a shining coating of silver metal gets deposited on the
copper strip. The reaction may be written as :
2AgNO3(aq) + Cu(s) ⎯⎯→ Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
Silver nitrate Copper Copper nitrate Silver
(colourless solution) (blue colour)
However, if we place silver wire in a copper sulphate solution no reaction occurs. This means
copper can displace silver from its salt solution but silver cannot displace copper from its solution.
i.e. copper is more reactive metal than silver.
The reactivity series
The arrangement of metals in order of decreasing reactivities is called reactivity series or
activity series of metals. After performing displacement experiments the following series has
been developed.
Reactivity series of metals

 Here is a tip to memorise the activity series of some metals which can help you to perform
displacement reaction.
Element Symbol Trick
Potassium K Please Most reactive
Sodium Na Stop
DECREASING REACTIVITY

Calcium Ca Calling
Magnesium Mg Me
Aluminium Al A
Zinc Zn Zebra
Iron Fe Instead
Tin Sn Try
Lead Pb Learning
Hydrogen H How
Copper Cu Copper
Mercury Hg Merc
Least reactive
Silver Ag Saves
Gold Au Gold

Reactivity series of some metals

[17]
NCERT Basics: Class 10

 In earlier standards, we have seen how elements combine to form stable molecules.
 We have also learnt that the driving force behind formation of a chemical bond is to attain
an electronic configuration with a complete octet.
 The atoms attain a complete octet by giving, taking or sharing of electrons with each other.
 In previous class, we have learnt about atomic number, electronic configuration and number
of electrons in different shells like – K, L, M, N.
4. Reaction of metals with non-metals
Atoms of elements combine to form stable molecules. The combining power of an atom is
expressed as valency. Each atom has a tendency to attain a completely filled valence shell.
The noble gases, which have a completely filled valence shell or outermost shell, are very
stable.

 The electronic configuration of noble gases and some metals and non-metals are given in the
following table.
Electronic configuration of some elements
Types of Element Atomic Number of electrons in
elements number shells
K L M N
Noble gases Helium (He) 2 2
Neon (Ne) 10 2 8
Argon (Ar) 18 2 8 8
Metals Sodium (Na) 11 2 8 1
Magnesium (Mg) 12 2 8 2
Aluminium (Al) 13 2 8 3
Potassium (K) 19 2 8 8 1
Calcium (Ca) 20 2 8 8 2
Non-metals Nitrogen (N) 7 2 5
Oxygen (O) 8 2 6
Fluorine (F) 9 2 7
Phosphorus (P) 15 2 8 5
Sulphur (S) 16 2 8 6
Chlorine (Cl) 17 2 8 7

[18] 
 Chemistry
It is clear from the above table that except helium, all other
noble gases have 8 electrons (octet) in their outermost shell, It should be noted
which represent a highly stable electronic configuration. Due to that ionic compounds do
not exist as molecules
this stable configuration, the noble gases have no tendency to lose
but aggregates of
or gain electrons. So they exist in monoatomic form. oppositely charged ions.
However, metals and non-metals which do not have complete octet These compounds do
not bear any charge i.e.
will try to attain stability either by gaining or loosing electrons. they are neutral.
Lets discuss formation of sodium chloride (NaCl).
Sodium atom has one electron in its outermost shell. If it loses the electron from its M shell then
its L shell becomes the outermost shell, which has stable octet like noble gases. The nucleus of this
atom still has 11 protons but the number of electrons becomes 10. Therefore, it becomes
positively charged sodium ion or cation (Na+).
Na ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
lose 1 electron
→ Na + + e−
2, 8, 1 2, 8
Sodium ion

On the other hand, chlorine has seven electrons in its outer most shell and it require one more
electron to complete its octet. The nucleus of chlorine atom has 17 protons and the number of
electrons become 18. Therefore, it becomes negatively charged chloride ion (Cl–) or anion.
Cl + e− ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
gain 1 electron
→ Cl −
2, 8, 7 2, 8, 8
Chloride ion

So, Na+ and Cl– ions being oppositely charged attract to each other and are held by strong
electrostatic forces of attraction to exist as NaCl. In other words, Na+ and Cl– ions are held together
by electrovalent or ionic bond.

Na + Cl ⎯→[Na+] [ Cl ] –
or
NaCl

Na Cl Na Cl
Sodium atom Chlorine atom Sodium atom Chlorine atom
(a cation) (an anion)

Sodium chloride
(NaCl)

Formation of sodium chloride.

[19]
NCERT Basics: Class 10
Electrovalent bond or ionic bond may be defined as the electrostatic force of attraction which
holds the oppositely charged ions together or it may also be defined as a chemical bond formed
between two atoms by complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another so as to complete
their octet and hence acquire the stable nearest noble gas configuration. The number of electrons
lost or gained by the atom is called its electrovalency.
Let us discuss the formation of one more ionic compound magnesium chloride (MgCl2).
The electronic configuration of magnesium (Mg) and chlorine (Cl) atoms are
Mg12 : 2, 8, 2
Cl17 : 2, 8, 7
Magnesium atom has two electrons in its valence shell, so has a tendency to lose both of its
electrons to attain the nearest noble gas configuration i.e. Ne.
Mg → Mg2+
2, 8, 2 2,8.
On the other hand, chlorine has only one electron less than the nearest noble gas (i.e. Ar)
configuration. Magnesium transfers both its valence electrons to two chlorine atoms, each of
which needs one electron to form Cl– ion.
–
Mg −2e
⎯⎯→ Mg2+
–
2, 8, 2 2, 8 Mg + Cl ⎯→ [Mg2+] [ Cl ] 2

2Cl
–
+2e
⎯⎯→ 2Cl– or
Cl MgCl2
2, 8, 7 2, 8, 8 Magnesium chloride
Some common ionic compounds are
1. Magnesium Mg + O ⎯⎯→ Mg2+[O]2– or MgO
oxide 2, 8, 2 2, 6
2. Magnesium Mg + 2F ⎯⎯→ Mg2+2[F]– or MgF2
fluoride 2, 8, 2 2, 7
3. Calcium Ca + O ⎯⎯→ Ca2+[O]2– or CaO
oxide 2, 8, 8, 2 2, 6
4. Aluminium 2Al + 3O ⎯⎯→ 2Al3+3[O]2– or Al2O3
oxide 2, 8, 3 2, 6
5. Magnesium Mg + 2Cl ⎯⎯→ Mg2+2[Cl]– or MgCl2
chloride 2, 8, 2 2, 8, 7
6. Aluminium Al + N ⎯⎯→ Al3+N3– or AlN
nitride 2, 8, 3 2, 5
Properties of ionic compounds
To learn about the properties of ionic compounds, let us perform the following activity.

[20] 
 Chemistry

13

Aim
To study the properties of ionic compounds.
Spatula
Materials required Spatula
containing
containing
Samples of sodium chloride, potassium iodide, barium chloride, metal sample
sample
spatula, burner, water, kerosene, battery, beaker, bulb, switch,
electrodes of graphite.
Method
(i) Take samples of sodium chloride, potassium iodide, barium Burner
Burner

chloride or any other salt from the science laboratory.

(ii) Take a small amount of sample on a metal spatula and heat directly
on the flame. Repeat with other samples.
(iii) Try to dissolve the compound in water and kerosene.
(iv) Make a circuit as shown in figure and insert the electrodes into a
Heating a salt sample
solution of one salt. Test the other salt samples too in this manner. on spatula
Now answer
(i) What is the physical state of the salt taken?
(ii) Did the samples impart any colour to the flame on heating? Bulb
Battery Switch
(iii) Did the compounds melt on heating?
(iv) Are the compounds soluble in water or kerosene?
(v) Did the electric bulb glow on passing electric current? Beaker
(vi) What is your inference about the nature of these compounds? Graphite rod
Observation and discussion Salt
(i) All the salts taken are solids. solution
under test
(ii) Each salt imparted a particular colour to the flame.
Testing the conductivity of a salt
(iii) The compounds did not melt on heating. solution.
(iv) The compounds were soluble in water but not in kerosene.
(v) The electric bulb glows on passing electric current.
(vi) All these properties show that the compounds are ionic in nature.
Conclusion
(i) Ionic compounds are generally solids.
(ii) They impart a characteristic colour to the flame.
(iii) No, they have high melting point.
(iv) They are soluble in a polar solvent like water and insoluble in non-polar solvents like
kerosene, petrol, etc.
(v) Their molten or aqueous solution conduct electricity.
(iv) Following are the general properties of ionic compounds.

[21]
NCERT Basics: Class 10
(a) Physical state
Ionic compounds are solids and relatively hard because of the strong force of attraction
between the positive and negative ions. This force of attraction is also known as strong
electrostatic force of attraction. These compounds are generally brittle and break into pieces
when pressure is applied.
(b) Solubility
Electrovalent compounds are generally soluble in water (because of their polar nature) and
insoluble in solvents such as kerosene, petrol, etc.
(c) Melting and boiling points
Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points, due to the strong electrostatic force
of attraction between the oppositely charged ions. Therefore, large amount of energy is
needed to break these bonds.
Ionic Melting Point Boiling Point
Compound (K) (K)
NaCl 1074 1686
LiCl 887 1600
KBr 1007 1708
KI 953 1600
CaCl2 1045 1900
CaO 2850 3120
MgCl2 981 1685

(d) Conduction of electricity

Ionic compounds in the solid state do not conduct electricity because movement of ions in
the solid state is not possible due to their rigid structure. But they can conduct electricity in
molten or aqueous state.
(e) Colour to the flame
Most of the salts when brought into the flame, impart characteristic colour to the flame.
Flame colours are produced from the movement of the electrons in the metal ions present
in the compounds.

[22] 
 Chemistry
Metal Colour of flame
Sodium Yellow
Barium salts Green
Potassium Lilac/violet

 Here are some important physical properties of metals and nonmetals.

Properties Metals Non-metals
Physical properties
State Metals are solids at ordinary Non-metals exist in all the three states
temperature. i.e. solid, liquid and gas.
Exception: Mercury is a liquid
metal.
Lustre They possess lustre or shine. They possess no lustre. Exceptions are
Iodine and graphite.
Malleability Metals are generally malleable Non-metals are neither malleable nor
and Ductility and ductile, exceptions are alkali ductile.
metals.
Hardness Metals are generally hard. Alkali Non-metals possess varying hardness.
metals are exceptions. Diamond is an exception. It is the
hardest substance known to occur in
nature.
Density They have high densities. They generally possess low densities.

Conductivity Metals are good conductors of Non-metals are poor conductors of heat
heat and electricity. and electricity. The only exception is
graphite which is a good conductor of
electricity.
Melting and They usually have high melting Their melting and boiling points are
boiling and boiling points. usually low. The only exceptions are
points boron, carbon and silicon.

[23]
NCERT Basics: Class 10

 Here are some important chemical properties of metals and nonmetals.

Distinction between Metals and Non-metals
Chemical Properties
Action with Metals generally react with Non-metals do not displace
mineral acids dilute mineral acids to liberate hydrogen on reaction with dilute
H2 gas. minerals acids.
Nature of They form basic oxides. For Non-metals form acidic or neutral
oxides example, Na2O, MgO, etc. These oxides. For example, SO2, CO2, P2O5,
oxides are ionic in nature. etc. are acidic whereas CO, N2O, etc.
are neutral. These oxides are
covalent in nature.
Electrochemical Metals are electropositive in Non-metals are electronegative in
behaviour character. character.

Oxidising or Metals behave as reducing Non-metals generally behave as

reducing agents. This is because of their oxidising agents since they have the
behaviour tendency to lose electrons. tendency to gain electrons.
Na → Na+ + e– 1/2 Cl2 + e– → Cl–

Why sodium chloride has high melting point?

Explanation
Sodium chloride consist of Na+ and Cl– ions. These oppositely
Aluminium is the
charged ions are strongly attracted towards each other. To break most abundant metal
these strong forces of attraction, a large amount of energy is in the earth's crust.
needed and hence sodium chloride has a high melting point. The second most
abundant metal is
5. Occurrence of metals
iron and third one is
The earth's crust is the major source of metals. They are calcium.
present in nature in the free state as well as in combined state.
Oxygen & silicon are the main elements present in earth's crust. Both
are non-metals. Seawater also contains some soluble salts such as NaCl, MgCl2, etc.
Native and combined states of metals
Metals occur in the crust of earth in two states : native state and combined state.

[24] 
 Chemistry
(1) Native state
A metal is said to occur in native or free state when a metal is found in nature in the
elementary or metallic state. The metals at the bottom of the activity series are least reactive.
They are often found in free state.
For example, Gold, silver, copper and platinum are found in free state because they are very
unreactive metals. So, they have no tendency to react with oxygen and they do not react with
moisture, CO2 of air or any other non-metal.
(2) Combined state
The metals at the top of reactivity series are not expected to occur in free state due to their
reactive nature. They exist in combination with other elements as oxides, carbonates,
halides, sulphates, sulphides, etc.
For example, Sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminium, magnesium, etc. are very reactive
metals. All of these are lying at the top of activity series. These are never found in the free
state.
The metals in the middle of the activity series such as zinc, iron, lead, etc. are moderately
reactive. They are found in the earth crust mainly as oxides, sulphide or carbonates.

 On the basis of reactivity, metals are divided into the following three categories.
K
Na Highly reactive metals
Ca (Top of the activity series)
Mg Never found in the free state.
Al

Zn
Fe Moderately reactive metals
Ni (Middle of the activity series)
Sn Found in combined state.
Pb

Cu Less reactive metals

Ag (Just below hydrogen)
Found in the free state as well as combined state.
Pt Least reactive metals
Au (Bottom of the activity series).
Found in the free state.

Occurrences of metals in the activity series

[25]
NCERT Basics: Class 10
Minerals and ores
The elementary state of the compounds in the form of which the metals occur in nature are called
minerals.
The minerals from where metals can be conveniently and profitably extracted are called ores.
For example, Copper occurs in nature in the form of several mineral like copper pyrites(CuFeS2),
copper glance (Cu2S) and cuprite (Cu2O). We obtain copper metal profitably from copper pyrites
mineral, so it is called ore of copper.

 Students, don’t get confused between ores and minerals

Minerals
E.g. Cu2S

Ores
E.g. CuFeS2

All ores are minerals, but all minerals are not ores.
6. Extraction of metals: Metallurgy
The process through which a pure metal is extracted from its ores is known as extraction
of metals. The series of various processes involved in the extraction of metals from their
ores, followed by refining of the metal is known as metallurgy.
Various steps involved in the extraction of metals or metallurgical process:
1. Crushing and grinding of the ore.
2. Concentration of the ore or enrichment of the ore.
3. Extraction of metal from the concentrated ore.
4. Refining or purification of the impure metal.
1. Crushing and grinding of the ore
Most of the ores in nature occur as big rocks. They are broken into small pieces with the help
of crushers. These pieces are then reduced to fine powder with the help of a ball mill or a
stamp mill. This process is known as pulverization of the ore.
Large pieces of ore

Crushed ore

Crushed ore Finely divided powder

(A) Crusher (B) Stamp mill

Pulverization of ore
[26] 
 Chemistry
2. Enrichment of ore or concentration of ore
The ores mined from the earth's crust contain a number of impurities, such as soil, sand, etc.
called gangue or matrix. The process of removal of impurities (gangue) from the ore is
called enrichment of ore or concentration of ore. The impurities must be removed from
the ore prior to the extraction of the metal. The processes used for removing the gangue
from the ore are based on the differences between the physical or chemical properties of the
gangue and the ore. Different separation techniques are accordingly employed.
3. Extraction of metal from the enriched ore
The method used for extraction of the metal from the
concentrated ore depends upon the nature of metal. The reaction in
which one of the
Based on the reactivity, the metals have been grouped into the reactant (Cu2S) carries
following three categories : the reduction of the
product (Cu2O) is
(I) Metals of low reactivity. (Low in the activity series) known as auto
(II) Metals of medium reactivity. (In the middle of the activity reduction or self-
reduction.
series)
(III) Metals of high reactivity. (At the top of the activity series)
(I) Extraction of metals low in the activity series (Cu, Hg, Ag, Pt, Au)
As these metals are very less reactive, they are either found in native state or in the form of
sulphide ores. For example, Cinnabar (HgS)
These sulphide ores can be converted to oxide ores on heating in the presence of excess of
air called Roasting.
2HgS(s) + 3O2(g) Heat→
⎯⎯⎯ 2HgO(s) + 2SO2(g)
Mercuric sulphide Oxygen Mercuric Sulphur
(Cinnabar) oxide dioxide
This oxide can be reduced to metal by further heating.
2HgO Heat→
⎯⎯⎯ 2Hg() + O2(g)
Mercuric oxide Mercury Oxygen
Similarly, when copper glance (Cu2S) an ore of copper, is subjected to roasting, it directly
gives copper.
2Cu2S(s) + Heat→
3O2(g) ⎯⎯⎯ 2Cu2O(s) + 2SO2(g)
Copper glance Oxygen Cuprous oxide Sulphur dioxide
2Cu2O(s) + Heat→
Cu2S(s) ⎯⎯⎯ 6Cu(s) + SO2(g)
Copper oxide Copper glance Copper Sulphur dioxide

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NCERT Basics: Class 10
(II) Extraction of metals in the middle of the activity series (Fe, Zn, Pb, etc.)
These metals are found in the form of their oxides, sulphides and carbonates. For easy
extraction, sulphide and carbonate ores are first converted into the oxide.
(a) Conversion into metal oxide
(i) Calcination : for the conversion of carbonate ores into oxides.
It is the process of heating the ore strongly in the absence of air.
For example,
Heat
ZnCO3(s) ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ → ZnO(s) + CO2(g)
(Absence of air)
Zinc carbonate Zinc oxide Carbon dioxide
(Calamine - ore of Zn)
(ii) Roasting : for the conversion of sulphide ores into oxides.
It is the process of heating the ore strongly in the presence of excess of air.
2ZnS(s) + Heat
3O2(g) ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯→ 2ZnO(s) + 2SO2(g)
Presence of excess of air
Zinc sulphide Zinc Sulphur
(Zinc blende-ore of Zn) oxide dioxide
(b) Reduction of the metal oxide to metal
For reduction suitable reducing agents are used, like carbon, carbon monoxide,
aluminium, sodium or calcium.
(i) Reduction by heating with carbon (coke) –
When zinc oxide is heated with carbon, zinc metal is produced.
ZnO(s) + C(s) ⎯⎯→ Zn(s) + CO(g)
Zinc oxide Carbon Zinc metal Carbon monoxide
(Reducing agent)
Reduction by carbon is also known as smelting.
Similarly, iron and lead are also obtained from their oxides by heating with carbon.
Fe2O3(s) + Heat→
3C(s) ⎯⎯⎯ 2Fe(s) + 3CO(g)
PbO(s) + C(s) ⎯⎯⎯ Heat→ Pb(s) + CO(g)
(ii) Reduction with CO
Iron is obtained from ferric oxide by heating with CO.
Fe2O3(s) + Heat→ 2Fe(s) + 3CO (g)
3CO(g) ⎯⎯⎯ 2

(iii) Reduction by aluminium

Besides using carbon (coke) to reduce metal oxides to
metals, sometimes displacement reactions can also be used.
The highly reactive metals such as sodium, calcium,
aluminium, etc. are used as reducing agents because they
The thermite reaction
can displace metals of lower reactivity from their gives off so much heat that
compounds. the iron formed is molten

[28] 
 Chemistry
Certain metal oxides are reduced by aluminium to metals. This method is known as
aluminothermy or thermite process.
For example, Chromium, manganese, vanadium metals are obtained by the reduction of
their oxides with Al powder. The following reaction takes place.
3MnO2(s) + 4Al(s) ⎯⎯→Heat
3Mn() + 2Al2O3(s) + Heat
Cr2O3(s) + 2Al(s) ⎯⎯→ Heat
2Cr() + Al2O3(s) + Heat
These displacement reactions are highly exothermic, so a
large amount of heat is evolved and metals are produced in
the molten state.
In fact the reaction of iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3) with
aluminium, is used to weld railway tracks or cracked
machine parts. This reaction is known as thermite
reaction. The mixture of iron oxide and aluminium
Thermite process for
powder is called thermite.
joining railway tracks
Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) ⎯⎯→
Heat
2Fe() + Al2O3(s) + Heat

1. Name two metals other than silver and gold which are not attacked even by steam.
2. Name two metals which react with very dilute HNO3 to produce hydrogen gas.
(III) Extraction of metals high up in the activity series
(K, Ca, Na, Mg and Al)
The highly reactive metals such as K, Na, Mg have strong affinity for oxygen, so they can not
be reduced with the help of carbon. Hence these metals are obtained by electrolysis of their
molten or fused oxides or chlorides, this method is called electrolytic reduction.
On electrolysis, metal ions, being positive, are liberated at the cathode (negative electrode)
where they gain electrons and convert in the metal atoms.
For examples,
(i) Sodium metal is obtained by electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.
Heat
NaCl(s) ⎯⎯⎯⎯
to melt→ Na () + Cl ()
+ –

At Cathode : Na+() + e– ⎯⎯→ Na(s) (Reduction)

Sodium ion electron Sodium metal
At Anode : Cl–() ⎯⎯→ Cl(g) + e– (Oxidation)
Chloride ion Chlorine atom
Cl(g) + Cl(g) ⎯⎯→ Cl2(g)
Chlorine atoms Chlorine gas
Thus, sodium metal is obtained at cathode whereas chlorine gas is obtained at the
anode.

[29]
NCERT Basics: Class 10
(ii) Aluminium oxide is reduced to aluminium by the electrolysis of molten aluminium
oxide.
Heat
Al2O3(s) ⎯⎯⎯⎯
to melt→ 2Al () + 3O ()
3+ 2–

At Cathode : Al3+() + 3e ⎯⎯→ Al(s) (Reduction)

Aluminium ion Aluminium metal
At Anode : O2–() ⎯⎯→ O(g) + 2e– (Oxidation)
Oxide ions Oxygen atom
O(g) + O(g) ⎯⎯→ O2(g)
Oxygen atoms Oxygen gas
(4) Refining of impure metals
The metals produced by various reduction processes described above are not very pure.
They contain impurities, which must be removed to obtain pure metals.
The most widely used method for refining of impure metals is electrolytic refining.
Process
(i) In this process, the impure metal is made the anode and a thin strip of pure metal is
made the cathode.
(ii) A solution of the metal salt is used as an electrolyte. On passing the electric current
through the electrolyte, the pure metal from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte.
(iii) An equivalent amount of pure metal from the electrolyte gets deposited on the cathode.
The soluble impurities go into the solution, leaving the insoluble impurities which settle
down at the bottom of the anode.
At Anode : M(s) ⎯⎯→ Mn+(aq) + ne–
Metal atom Metal ion
(from anode)
At cathode: Mn+(aq) + ne– ⎯⎯→ M(s)
Metal ion Metal atom
(from solution)
Anode mud / anode sludge
The soluble impurities present in the impure metal pass into solution whereas insoluble
impurities fall below the anode as anode mud.
For example, Electrolytic refining of copper.
Key
e– – + e–

– +
Cathode Anode

Tank Acidified
copper
Impurities sulphate
(anode mud) solution

[30] 
 Chemistry
Electrolytic refining of copper. The electrolyte is a solution of acidified copper sulphate. The
anode is impure copper, whereas the cathode is a strip of pure copper. On passing electric
current, pure copper is deposited on the cathode.

Explain why carbon can reduce copper oxide to copper but not sodium oxide to sodium?
Explanation
Carbon is a strong reducing agent. Hence, it can reduce copper oxide to copper as follows.
CuO(s) + C(s) ⎯⎯→ Cu(s) + CO(g)
Sodium is much more reactive than copper. It has greater affinity for oxygen than the affinity for
carbon. Moreover, at high temperature, sodium can combine with carbon to form sodium carbide.

 Process of metallurgy
Ore
(1) Crushing and grinding
Powdered ore

(2) Concentration of ore (3) Extraction of metal (4) Refining

Removal of impurities Electrolytic refining

Metals Metals Metals

of high of medium of low
reactivity reactivity reactivity

Electrolysis of Sulphide
molten ore Carbonate Sulphide ores
ore ore
Roasting
Pure Calcination Roasting
metal heating

Metal
Oxide of metal
Carbon /
Aluminium Refining
Reduction to
metal

Purification
of metal

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NCERT Basics: Class 10
7. Corrosion
When the surface of a metal is attacked by the gases and water vapour present in the air, it
is said to corrode and the phenomenon is called corrosion. Thus, corrosion may be defined
as follows:
The process of slowly eating up of metals due to their conversion into oxides, carbonates,
sulphide, sulphates, etc. by the action of atmospheric gases and moisture is called corrosion.
In case iron is the metal involved in the chemical process, then corrosion is called rusting.
Factors which promote corrosion
(a) Position of metal in the reactivity series: Active metals placed above hydrogen are easily
corroded as compared to metals which are placed below hydrogen.
(b) Presence of water vapours and gases like CO2, SO2, etc. in the air.
(c) Presence of salts or electrolyte in water promotes corrosion.
e.g. Rusting of iron is faster in sea water than in ordinary or distilled water.

14

Aim
To prove that air and moisture are essential for rusting of iron.
Materials required
Three test tubes, iron nails, water, oil, anhydrous calcium chloride (drying agent), corks.
Method
(i) Take three test tubes and place clean iron nails in each of them.
(ii) Label these test tubes A, B and C. Pour some water in test tube A and cork it.
(iii) Pour boiled distilled water in test tube B and add about 1 ml of oil and cork it. The oil will
float on water and prevent the air from dissolving in the water.
(iv) Put some anhydrous calcium chloride in test tube C and cork it. Anhydrous calcium chloride
will absorb the moisture, if any, from the air. Leave these test tubes for a few days and then
observe.
A
(A) B
(B) C
(C)

Air
Air Dry
Dry Air
Air
Air Air
Layer
Layer of oil
(prevents
of oil air
(prevents
Rusty dissolving
air in
iron
Rusty the water)
dissolving
in the water)
nails
iron
nails

Water
Water Boiled
Boileddistilled
distilled
water (boiled
water(boiled to to
remove any
remove any
dissolved air)
dissolved air)
Anhydrous
Anhydrous calcium
calcium
chloride
chloride
(drying agent)
drying agent

Investigating the conditions under which iron rust. In tube A, both air and water are present. In
tube B, there is no air dissolved in the water. In tube C, the air is dry.
[32] 
 Chemistry
Observation
It is observed that iron nails rust in the tube A but they do Rusting is the term used
not rust in test tubes B and C. In test tube A, the nails are only in case of iron. If the
rusted surface of iron is
exposed to both air and water. In test tube B, the nails are rubbed with a sand paper,
exposed to water only and the nails in test tube C are exposed to the rust will appear again
in a few days. This shows
dry air free from water vapour.
that the rust is formed by a
Conclusion chemical reaction and not
by a physical process.
Presence of both air and moisture is essential for rusting to take
place.
Example of corrosion
(i) When iron is exposed to moist air for a long time, its surface acquires a brown flaky
substance called rust and the process is known as rusting. Rust is a mixture of Fe2O3 and
Fe(OH)3.
(ii) Copper reacts with CO2 in the air and slowly loses its shiny brown surface and acquires a
green coating of basic copper carbonate in moist air.
2Cu(s) + CO2(g) + O2(g) + H2O() ⎯→ CuCO3.Cu(OH)2
Copper Basic copper carbonate
from moist air Green

(iii) Silver articles becomes black after sometime when exposed to air. [Due to reaction with H2S
in the air to form a black coating of silver sulphide(Ag2S).]
(iv) Lead or stainless steel lose their lusture due to corrosion.
Prevention of corrosion
(i) By painting : The corrosion of a metal can be prevented simply by painting the metal surface
by grease or varnish that forms a protective layer on the surface of the metal which protect
the metal from moisture and air.
(ii) Self prevention : Some metals form protective layers.
For example, When zinc is left exposed to the atmosphere, it combines with the oxygen of
air to form a layer of zinc oxide over its surface. The oxides layer does not allow air to go
inside the metal. Thus, zinc is protected from corrosion by its own protective layer.
Similarly, aluminium combines with oxygen to form a dull layer of aluminium oxide on its
surface which protects aluminium from further corrosion.
(iii) Cathodic protection : In this method, the more reactive metal which is more corrosion-
prone is connected to a bar of another metal which is less reactive and to be protected. In
this process, electron flows from more reactive metal to the less reactive metal. The metal
to be protected becomes the cathode and the more reactive metal becomes the anode.
In this way, the two metals form an electrochemical cell and oxidation of the metal is
prevented.

[33]
NCERT Basics: Class 10
For example, The pipelines (iron) under the surface of the earth are protected from
corrosion by connecting them to a more reactive metal (magnesium or Zn) which is buried
in the earth and connected to the pipelines by a wire.

e–

Tin and chromium do

not corrode. Tin is non-
poisonous and is used to
Moist coat tiffin boxes by
Soil electroplating. Chromium
plating prevents rusting
(–) and gives a shiny
(+)
appearance to iron and
Mg steel articles.
Sacrificial Fe
Pipeline
anode (cathode)
(oxidation) (reduction)

Cathodic protection
(iv) Oiling and greasing : Both protect the surface of metal against moisture and chemicals, etc.
In addition the oil and grease prevent the surface from getting scratched.
(v) Electroplating : It is a very common and effective method to check corrosion. The surface
of metal is coated with chromium, nickel or aluminium, etc. by electrolysis also called
electroplating. They are quite resistant to the attack by both air and water. If the surface of
metal is electroplated by zinc, it is known as galvanisation and in case tin metal is used,
then the process is called tinning.
(vi) By alloying : It is a very good method of improving the properties of a metal.
An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or non-metal. It can be prepared
by first melting the metal and then dissolving the other elements (metal or non-metal) in
proper proportions. The physical properties of an alloy are different from the constituent
metals (from which it is made).
Some of the common alloys are
(i) Steel : Iron is the most widely used metal. But it is never used in its pure state. This is because
pure iron is very soft and stretches easily when hot. But, if it is mixed with a small amount
of carbon (about 0.05%) it becomes hard and strong.
When iron is mixed with nickel and chromium to form stainless steel which is hard and does
not rust.

[34] 
 Chemistry
(ii) Amalgam : An alloy of mercury and one or more other metals is
known as an amalgam. It may be solid or liquid. A solution of
sodium metal in liquid mercury metal is called sodium amalgam,
which is used as a reducing agent. Amalgam of silver, tin and zinc
is used by dentists for filling in teeth.
(iii) Brass : Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and Zn. It contains 80%
copper and 20% zinc. It is more malleable and more stronger
than pure copper. Brass is used for making cooking utensils,
condenser sheets, pipe, screws, bolts, wire, scientific
Brass, a solid solution of copper
instruments, ornaments, etc.
and zinc, is used to make musical
(iv) Bronze : It is also the alloy of copper. It contain 90% of instruments and many other
objects.
copper and 10% tin. It is highly resistant to corrosion and
used for making utensils, statues, coins, hardware, etc.
(v) Solder : It is an alloy of lead (50%) and tin (50%). It is used for soldering (or welding)
electrical wires together as it melts at a low temperature.
(vi) Alloys of Gold : The purity of gold is expressed is terms of 'carats'. Pure gold is known as 24
carats gold. It is very soft due to which, it is not suitable for making jewellery. It is alloyed
with either silver or copper to make it hard and more suitable for making ornaments. In
India, gold ornaments are usually made of 22 carats gold. It is an alloy of gold with silver or
copper.

24 carat gold 18 carat gold 14 carat gold

100% 56% 20% 24% 36% 25% 37%

Gold Silver Copper

24-carat gold is an element. It contains only gold atoms. 14-carat and 18-carat gold are
alloys. They contain a mixture of different atoms.

[35]
NCERT Basics: Class 10
The wonder of ancient Indian metallurgy
The iron pillar near the Qutub-Minar in Delhi was made around 400
BC by the iron workers of India. They had developed a process which
prevented the wrought iron pillar(a type of iron) from rusting even
after thousands of years. This is likely because of formation of a thin
film of magnetic oxide (Fe3O4) on the surface as a result of finishing
treatment given to the pillar, painting it with a mixture of different
Ashoka pillar
salts then heating and quenching (rapid cooling). The iron pillar is 8 near Qutub-Minar in Delhi
metres high and 6000 kg (6 tones) in weight.
This tells us that ancient Indians had good knowledge of metals and their alloys.

1. Lead and copper.

2. Magnesium and manganese.

 Some important alloys are mentioned below -

Alloy Composition

Brass Cu + Zn

Bronze Cu + Sn

German Silver Cu + Zn + Ni

Gun Metal Cu + Sn + Zn

Duralumin Al + Cu + Mg + Mn

Solder Pb + Sn

Steel Fe + C

Stainless steel Fe + Cr + Ni + C

Amalgam Hg + other metal

[36] 
 Chemistry
Basic terminology
1. Hammered - To hit something several times.
2. Resistance - Trying to stop something from happening.
3. Lustre - Shine
4. Clamp - A tool that is used to hold two thing tightly.
5. Brittle - To break into particles.
6. Violent - Very strong and impossible to control.
7. Affinity - Tendency to combine.
8. Malleability - To form sheets
9. Ductility - To form wires.
10. Conductivity - Property to allow heat or electricity to go through something.
11. Sonorous - Production of sound.
12. Enrichment - To increase the percentage.
13. Refining - To purify.
14. Lilac - Light purple or pale violet tone.

Memory Map
Metallurgy

Ore
Crushing and grinding

Concentration of ore Extraction of metal Refining

Physical Chemical Metals of high Metals of low Electrolytic

Metals of medium
method method reactivity reactivity refining
reactivity

Electrolysis of Sulphide
molten ore ores

Pure Roasting
metal Carbonate Sulphide
ore ore
Metal
Calcination Roasting
Absence of O2 Presence of O2

Oxide of metal

Carbon/Aluminium

Reduction of
metal

[37]
NCERT Basics: Class 10

Metal and Non-metals

Metal Non-Metals Reaction of metals Reaction of Reaction of metals

properties properties with O2 Metals with H2O with non-metals

Lusturous Non-lustrous Reaction of M Reaction of M Ionic bond

Sonorous Non-sonorous with O2 with H2O (electrovalent bond)
Hardness Soft M + O2 → MO Ca, Na and K →
Conductance Low M.P. & B.P. Anodising of Al cold water + –
Na×+ Cl → [Na] [×Cl ]
High M.P. & B.P. Brittle Al2O3 → 2Al3+ + Mg → boil water
Malleable Non-conductor 3O2– Al, Zn → Steam
Ductile Low density At anode → 3O2– Reaction of
Electrical → 3/2 O2 + 6e– metals with acids
conductance At cathode → M + dil acid →
2Al3+ + 6e– → 2Al Salt + Hydrogen

Occurrence of Reactivity series of

metals metals

K
Na
Native Combined
state Ca Most reactive
state
Mg metal
Al
Reactivity decreases

Zn
Fe
Ni
Moderate
Sn reactive
Pb metal
H
Cu

Hg
less reactive
Ag metal
Au

[38] 
INTRODUCTION
Everything around us is made up of different elements. These elements can be classified into metals or
non-metals on the basis of their properties. A few elements have properties common to both metals and
non-metals. These are called semi-metals or metalloids.

Sonorous

1 Lustrous
2 & Hard
h

3 Electrical
conductivity
PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
4 High Metals conduct electricity
OF
Melting Point
METALS
& Boiling Point

5 Malleability

6
7 Ductility
Thermal
conductivity

Metals conduct heat very easily

 Brittle

1 Non-conductor
2

3 Soft

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
OF
4 Non-lustrous

NON-METALS

5 Non- sonorous Diamond is Non-Metal

but it is lustrous
6 Low
Melting Point
7
& Boiling Point
Low density

SOME EXCEPTIONS

All metals except mercury are solid at room temperature. Gallium (Ga) and
01 cesium (Cs) have very low melting points. These two metals will melt if we
keep them on our palm.

Iodine is a non-metal but it is lustrous. Non-metals are generally bad conductor of

02 heat and electricity. Exception : Graphite is a good conductor of electricity

Alkali metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium are so soft, that they can be
03 easily cut with a knife i.e. they have low densities and low melting points. but it is
lustrous.

Carbon can exist in different forms. Each form is called an allotrope. Diamond is
04 the hardest natural substance, which has very high melting and boiling point.
Graphite is allotrope of carbon which is good conductor of electricity.
 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
OF METALS

01 REACTION OF METALS WITH OXYGEN

Metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides which are basic in nature and some of them react
with water to form alkaline solutions, which turn red litmus paper blue.
4Na + O2 ® 2Na2O,
Almost all metals combine with oxygen to form metal oxides.
Metal + Oxygen ® Metal oxide
Sodium oxide is a basic oxide which reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide.
Na2O + H2O ¾® 2NaOH
Nature of metallic oxide
Generally, metallic oxides are basic in nature except aluminium and zinc oxides which are
amphoteric in nature. That means these oxides (Al2O3, ZnO) react with base as well as acid.
The basic oxide of metals react with acid to give salt.
For example, CuO(s) + H2SO4( ) ® CuSO4(aq) + H2O( )
The order of reactivity with oxygen is : K > Na > Mg > Al > Cu

02 REACTION OF METALS WITH WATER

Metal reacts with water and produce a metal oxide and hydrogen gas. Metal oxides that are soluble in
water dissolve in it to form metal hydroxide. But all metals do not react with water.
Metal + Water ® Metal oxide + Hydrogen gas
Metal oxide + Water ® Metal hydroxide

2Na + 2H2O ® 2NaOH + H2 Mg + 2H2O ® Mg(OH)2 + H2

(Cold water) (Boiling water)

Zn + H2O ® ZnO + H2 3Fe + 4H2O ® Fe3O4 + 4H2

(Steam) (Red hot iron) (Steam)

Copper do not react with water even under strong conditions.

The reactivity order of these metals with water are : K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu

03 REACTION OF METALS WITH ACIDS

The highly reactive metals react with dilute acid to displace hydrogen from acid and give a salt.
Metal + Dilute acid ® Salt + Hydrogen
Na + 2HCl(dil.) ® 2NaCl(s) + H2(g).
Mg + H2SO4(dil.) ¾® MgSO4 + H2
The reaction between Fe and acid is slow.
Fe(s) + 2HCl(aq) ® FeCl2(aq) + H2(g)
The order of reactivity with dilute HCl is : Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu
 NOTE :
Hydrogen gas is not evolved when metals such as Zn, Fe, Cu and Al react with nitric acid. Because
HNO3 is strong oxidising agent. It oxidises, H2 gas to water and is itself reduced to oxides of nitrogen
(NO, N2O and No2). 3Fe(s) + 8HNO3(aq) ® 3Fe(NO3)2(aq) + 4H2O( ) + 2NO(g)
3Cu(s) + 8HNO3(aq) ® 3Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 4H2O( ) + 2NO(g)
But copper reacts with hot concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) to produce copper sulphate, sulphur
dioxide and water.
Cu(s) + 2H2SO4(aq) ® CuSO4(aq) + SO2(g) + 2H2O()l
Only Mg and Mn reacts with very dilute HNO3 to evolve H2 gas.
Mg(s) + 2HNO3(aq) ® Mg(NO3)2(aq) + H2(g)
Aqua Regia (Royal water): Aqua regia is a Latin word it means "royal water". It is a freshly prepared
mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid in the ratio of 3 : 1. It is a highly
corrosive, fuming liquid and is used to dissolve gold and platinum.

04 REACTION OF METALS WITH OTHER METAL SALT

When a more reactive metal is placed in a salt solution of less reactive metal, then the more reactive
metal displaces the less reactive metal from its salt solution. This reaction is also known as
Displacement Reaction.
Metal A + Salt solution of Metal B ® Salt solution of Metal A + Metal B
(Only if metal A is more reactive than Metal B)
E.g. CuSO4(aq.) + Zn(s) ® ZnSO4(aq.) + Cu(s) (Zn > Cu)
2AgNO3(aq) + Cu(s) ¾® Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)

Reactivity Series of Metals : The vertical arrangement of metals in

order of decreasing reactivities is called reactivity series or activity
series of metals.

Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) ¾® FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

(Blue) (Green) (Brown)
05 REACTION OF METALS WITH NON-METALS
Metals are electron donors so they form cations and non-metals are electron acceptors therefore, they
form anions to achieve nearest noble gas configuration and become stable.
When a metal donates an electron and non-metal accepts the same electron, they get bound by
strong electrostatic forces of attraction and form ionic bond or electrovalent bond. This can be
represented by Lewis dot structure.

Electrovalent bond or ionic bond may be defined as the electrostatic force of attraction which holds the
oppositely charged ions together. The number of electrons lost or gained by the atom is called its
electrovalency.

PROPERTIES OF IONIC COMPOUNDS

⚫ Physical state: They are solid, relatively hard, held together by strong electrostatic force of attraction
and are generally brittle.
⚫ Solubility: As ionic compounds are polar in nature, so they dissolve in polar solvent like water and are
insoluble in non-polar solvents like kerosene.
⚫ Melting and Boiling Points: As they are bound by strong electrostatic forces of attraction a large
amount of energy is needed to break these bonds.
⚫ Conduction of electricity: Ions do not move in solid state so, ionic compounds conduct electricity in
molten or in aqueous solution only.
⚫ Colour to the flame: Most metal salts when brought into the flame, impart characteristic colour to the
flame.

Metal Colour of flame

Sodium Yellow

Barium salts Green

Potassium Lilac/violet
OCCURRENCE OF METALS
The earth's crust is the major source of metals. They are present in nature in the free state (Native
state) as well as in combined state.

Minerals
The elementary state of the compounds in the form of which the metals occur in nature are called
minerals.
Ores
The minerals from where metals can be conveniently and profitably extracted are called ores.

For example, Copper occurs in nature in the form of several mineral like copper pyrites(CuFeS2),
copper glance (Cu2S) and cuprite (Cu2O). We obtain copper metal profitably from copper pyrites
mineral, so it is called ore of copper.
Note: All ores are minerals but all minerals are not ores.

K
Na Highly reactive metals
Ca (Top of the activity series)
Mg Never found in the free state.
Al

Zn
Fe Moderately reactive metals
Ni (Middle of the activity series)

Sn Found in combined state.

Pb

Less reactive metals

Cu
(Just below hydrogen)
Ag Found in the free state as
well as combined state.
Pt Less reactive metals
Au (Bottom of the activity series).
Found in the free state.
EXTRACTION OF METALS
The process through which a pure metal is extracted from its ores is known as extraction of metals. The
series of various processes involved in the extraction of metals from their ores, followed by refining of
the metal is known as metallurgy.
Various steps involved in the extraction of metals or metallurgical process :
1. Crushing and grinding of the ore.
2. Concentration of the ore or enrichment of the ore.
3. Extraction of metal from the concentrated ore.
4. Refining or purification of the impure metal.

1. Crushing and grinding of the ore

Most of the ores in nature occur as big rocks. They are
broken into small pieces with the help of crushers. These
pieces are then reduced to fine powder with the help of a
ball mill or a stamp mill. This process is known as
pulverization of the ore.

2. Enrichment of ore or concentration of ore

The ores mined from the earth's crust contain a number of impurities, such as soil, sand, etc. called
gangue or matrix. The process of removal of impurities (gangue) from the ore is called enrichment
of ore or concentration of ore.

3. Extraction of metal from the enriched ore

The method used for extraction of the metal from the concentrated ore depends upon the nature
of metal. Based on the reactivity, the metals have been grouped into the following three
categories :
(I) Metals of low reactivity.
(II) Metals of medium reactivity.
(III) Metals of high reactivity.

(I) Extraction of metals low in the activity series (Cu, Hg, Ag, Pt, Au)
These metals are either found in native state or in the form of sulphide ores. E.g., Cinnabar (HgS)
These sulphide ores can be converted to oxide ores on heating in the presence of excess of air
called Roasting.
Heat
2HgS(s) + 3O2(g) ¾¾¾® 2HgO(s) + 2SO2(g)
This oxide can be reduced to metal by further heating.
Heat
2HgO ¾¾¾® 2Hg(l) + O2(g)
2Cu2S(s) + 3O2(g) ¾¾¾® 2Cu2O(s) + 2SO2(g)
2Cu2O(s) + Cu2S(s) ¾¾¾® 6Cu(s) + SO2(g)
The reaction in which one of the reactant (Cu2S) carries the reduction of the product (Cu2O) is
known as auto reduction or self-reduction.
(II) Extraction of metals in the middle of the activity series (Fe, Zn, Pb, etc.)
These metals are found in the form of their oxides, sulphides and carbonates. For easy extraction,
sulphide and carbonate ores are first converted into the oxide.

(a) Conversion into metal oxide

(i) Calcination : (ii) Roasting :

For the conversion of carbonate ores into For the conversion of sulphide ores into oxides.
oxides. It is the process of heating the ore It is the process of heating the ore strongly in the
strongly in the absence of air. presence of excess of air.
E.g., E.g.,
Heat Heat
ZnCO3(s) ¾¾¾¾¾¾¾® ZnO(s) + CO2(g) 2ZnS(s)+3O2(g) ¾¾¾¾¾¾®
(Presence of
2ZnO(s) + 2SO2(g)
(Calamine ) (Absence of air) (Zinc blende) excess of air)

(b) Reduction of the metal oxide to metal

For reduction suitable reducing agents are used, like carbon, carbon monoxide, aluminium,
sodium or calcium.

(i) Reduction by heating with carbon (coke)

When zinc oxide is heated with carbon, zinc metal is produced.
ZnO(s) + C(s) ¾¾® Zn(s) + CO(g)

(ii) Reduction with CO

Iron is obtained from ferric oxide by heating with CO.
Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) ¾¾¾¾® 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)

(iii) Reduction by aluminium

Certain metal oxides are reduced by aluminium to metals.
This method is known as aluminothermy or thermite process.
These displacement reactions are highly exothermic, so
metals are produced in the molten state.
For example, Chromium, manganese, vanadium metals are
obtained by the reduction of their oxides with Al powder.
The following reaction takes place
3MnO2(s) + 4Al(s) ¾¾¾® Heat
3Mn(l) + 2Al2O3(s) + Heat
Thermite reaction - is used to weld railway tracks or cracked
machine parts.
Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) ¾¾®
Heat 2Fe(l) + Al O (s) + Heat
2 3

The mixture of iron oxide and aluminium powder is called

thermite.
(III) Extraction of metals high up in the activity series : (K, Ca, Na, Mg and Al)
The highly reactive metals such as K, Na, Mg have strong affinity for oxygen, so they can not be
reduced with the help of carbon. Hence these metals are obtained by electrolysis of their molten
or fused oxides or chlorides, this method is called electrolytic reduction.
On electrolysis, metal ions, being positive, are liberated at the cathode (negative electrode) where
they gain electrons and convert in the metal atoms.
For examples,
(i) Sodium metal is obtained by electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.
Heat to
NaCl(s) ¾¾¾®
Melt
Na+(l) + Cl–(l)

At Cathode : At Anode :
Na+(l) + e– ¾¾® Na(s) (Reduction) Cl–(l) ¾¾® Cl(g) + e– (Oxidation)
Thus, sodium metal is obtained at cathode whereas chlorine gas is obtained at the anode.

(4) Refining of impure metals

The metals produced by various reduction processes described above are not very pure. They
contain impurities, which must be removed to obtain pure metals.
The most widely used method for refining of impure metals is electrolytic refining.

Process
(i) In this process, the impure metal is made the anode and a thin strip of pure metal is made the
cathode.
(ii) A solution of the metal salt is used as an electrolyte. On passing the electric current through
the electrolyte, the pure metal from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte.
(iii) An equivalent amount of pure metal from the electrolyte gets deposited on the cathode.
The soluble impurities go into the solution, leaving the insoluble impurities which settle down
at the bottom of the anode.
At Anode : At cathode :
M(s) ¾¾® M (aq) + ne Mn+(aq) + ne– ¾¾® M(s)
n+ –

Anode mud / anode sludge

The soluble impurities present in the impure metal pass into solution whereas insoluble impurities
fall below the anode as anode mud.
E.g., Electrolytic refining of copper.

Electrolytic refining of copper. The electrolyte is a solution of

acidified copper sulphate. The anode is impure copper,
whereas the cathode is a strip of pure copper. On passing
electric current, pure copper is deposited on the cathode.
CORROSION

The process of slowly eating up of metals due to their conversion into oxides, carbonates, sulphide,
sulphates, etc. by the action of atmospheric gases and moisture is called corrosion.
In case iron is the metal involved in the chemical process, then corrosion is called rusting.
Factors which promote corrosion
(a) Position of metal in the reactivity series: Active metals placed above hydrogen are easily
corroded as compared to metals which are placed below hydrogen.
(b) Presence of water vapours and gases like CO2, SO2, etc. in the air.
(c) Presence of salts or electrolyte in water promotes corrosion.
e.g. Rusting of iron is faster in sea water than in ordinary or distilled water.

Example of corrosion
(i) When iron is exposed to moist air for a long time, its surface acquires a brown flaky substance
called rust and the process is known as rusting. Rust is a mixture of Fe2O3 and Fe(OH)3.
(ii) Copper reacts with CO2 in the air and slowly loses its shiny brown surface and acquires a green
coating of basic copper carbonate in moist air.

(iii) Silver articles becomes black after sometime when exposed to air. [Due to reaction with H2S in
the air to form a black coating of silver sulphide(Ag2S).]
(iv) Lead or stainless steel lose their lusture due to corrosion.

PREVENTION OF CORROSION
By painting Self prevention Cathodic protection

Oiling and greasing Electroplating By alloying

ALLOYS
An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or non-metal. It can be prepared by first melting
the metal and then dissolving the other elements (metal or non-metal) in proper proportions. The
physical properties of an alloy are different from the constituent metals (from which it is made).
SOME OF THE COMMON ALLOYS ARE

Steel

Iron is the most widely used metal. But it is never used in its pure state. This is because pure iron is very
soft and stretches easily when hot. But, if it is mixed with a small amount of carbon (about 0.05%) it
becomes hard and strong.
When iron is mixed with nickel and chromium to form stainless steel which is hard and does not rust.

Amalgam

An alloy of mercury and one or more other metals is known as an amalgam. It may be solid or liquid. A
solution of sodium metal in liquid mercury metal is called sodium amalgam, which is used as a reducing
agent. Amalgam of silver, tin and zinc is used by dentists for filling in teeth.

Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and Zn. It contains 80% copper and 20% zinc. It is more malleable and
more stronger than pure copper. Brass is used for making cooking utensils, condenser sheets, pipe,
screws, bolts, wire, scientific instruments, ornaments, etc.

Bronze
It is also the alloy of copper. It contain 90% of copper and 10% tin. It is highly resistant to corrosion and
used for making utensils, statues, coins, hardware, etc.

Solder

It is an alloy of lead (50%) and tin (50%). It is used for soldering (or welding) electrical wires together as
it melts at a low temperature.

Alloys of Gold

The purity of gold is expressed is terms of 'carats'. Pure gold is known as 24 carats gold. It is very soft
due to which, it is not suitable for making jewellery. It is alloyed with either silver or copper to make it
hard and more suitable for making ornaments. In India, gold ornaments are usually made of 22 carats
gold. It is an alloy of gold with silver or copper.

carat gold is an element. It contains only gold atoms. 14-

carat and 18-carat gold are alloys. They contain a mixture of
different atoms.
 Chemistry

NCERT QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS

1. Give an example of a metal which Ans. (i) 3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g)

(i) is a liquid at room temperature. Iron Steam
(ii) can be easily cut with a knife. → Fe3O4(s) + 4H2(g)
(iii)is the best conductor of heat. Iron (II, III) oxide Hydrogen
(iv) is a poor conductor of heat. (ii) Ca(s) + 2H2O()
Ans. (i) Metal that exists in liquid state at Calcium Water
room temperature – Mercury → Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) + Heat
(ii) Metal that can be easily cut with a Calcium hydroxide Hydrogen
knife – Sodium (iii) 2K(s) + 2H2O()
(iii) Metal that is the best conductor of
Potassium Water
heat – Silver
→ 2KOH(aq) + H2(g) + Heat
(iv) Metal that is poor conductor of heat –
Potassium hydroxide Hydrogen
Lead
5. Samples of four metals A, B, C and D were
2. Explain the meaning of malleable and
taken and added to the following
ductile.
solutions one by one. The results obtained
Ans. Malleable: Substances that can be beaten
have been tabulated as follows.
into thin sheets are called malleable. For
Metal FeSO4 CuSO4 ZnSO4 AgNO3
example, most of the metals are malleable A No Displace - -
like copper, aluminium, etc. Reaction ment
Ductile: Substances that can be drawn B Displace - No -
ment Reaction
into thin wires are called ductile. For
C No No No Displace
example, most of the metals are ductile Reaction Reaction Reaction ment
like Au, Ag, etc. D No No No No
3. Why sodium is kept immersed in Reaction Reaction Reaction Reaction

kerosene oil?
Ans. Sodium and potassium are very reactive Use the above table to answer the
metals and combine explosively with air following questions about metals A, B, C
as well as water. Hence, they catch fire if and D.
kept in open. Therefore, to prevent (i) Which is the most reactive metal?
accidental fires and accidents, sodium is (ii) What would you observe if B is
stored immersed in kerosene oil. added to a solution of copper (II)
4. Write equations for the reactions of sulphate?
(i) Iron with steam (iii) Arrange the metals A, B, C and D in
(ii) Calcium and Potassium with water the order of decreasing reactivity.

[1]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
Ans. A + FeSO4 → No reaction, i.e., A is less Ans. Hydrogen gas is evolved when dilute
reactive than iron hydrochloric acid is added to a reactive
A + CuSO4 → Displacement, i.e., A is more metal.
reactive than copper When iron reacts with dilute H2SO4, iron
B + FeSO4 → Displacement, i.e., B is more (II) sulphate with the evolution of
reactive than iron hydrogen gas is formed.
B + ZnSO4 → No reaction, i.e., B is less Fe(s) + H2SO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + H2(g)
reactive than zinc 7. What would you observe when zinc is
C + FeSO4→ No reaction, i.e., C is less added to a solution of iron (II) sulphate?
reactive than iron Write the chemical reaction that takes
C + CuSO4 → No reaction, i.e., C is less place.
reactive than copper Ans. Zinc is more reactive than iron. Therefore,
C + ZnSO4 → No reaction, i.e., C is less if zinc is added to a solution of iron (II)
reactive than zinc sulphate, then it would displace iron from
C + AgNO3 → Displacement, i.e., C is more the solution and green colour of FeSO4
reactive than silver solution will fade.
D + FeSO4/CuSO4/ZnSO4/AgNO3 → No Zn(s) + FeSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Fe(s)
reaction, i.e., D is less reactive than iron, 8. (i) Write the electron-dot structures for
copper, zinc, and silver. sodium, oxygen and magnesium.
From the above equations, we obtain: (ii) Show the formation of Na2O and MgO
by the transfer of electrons.
Zn Most reactive
B (iii) What are the ions present in these
Fe compounds?
A Ans. (i) The representation of elements with
Cu
C valence electrons as dots around the
Ag elements is referred to as electron-dot
D Least structure for elements.
Reactive
•

Reactivity series (a) Sodium (2, 8, 1) = Na••

(i) B is the most reactive metal. (b) Oxygen (2, 6) = O
••

••
••
(ii) If B is added to a solution of copper ••
(c) Magnesium (2, 8, 2) = Mg
(II) sulphate, then it would displace
copper and blue colour of CuSO4 will •
Na + •O•• [Na+]2 •••O••• 2–
discharge. (ii) •
Na •• ••
B + CuSO4 – Displacement •
(iii) The arrangement of the metals in the •
Mg + •O••• [Mg2+] •••O••• 2–
order of decreasing reactivity is- • •• ••
B>A>C>D
6. Which gas is produced when dilute (iii) The ions present in Na2O are Na+ and
hydrochloric acid is added to a reactive O2– ions and in MgO are Mg2+ and O2–
metal? Write the chemical reaction when
ions.
iron reacts with dilute H2SO4.

[2]
 Chemistry
9. Why do ionic compounds have high Metal Zinc Magnesium Copper
melting points? Zinc oxide – – –
Ans. Ionic compounds have strong Magnesium – – –
electrostatic forces of attraction between oxide
the ions. Therefore, it requires a lot of
Copper – – –
energy to overcome these forces. That is
oxide
why ionic compounds have high melting
In which cases will you find displacement
points.
10. Define the following terms. reactions taking place?
(i) Mineral (ii) Ore (iii) Gangue Ans.
Ans. (i) Mineral : The earth’s crust is the major Metal Zinc Magnesium Copper
source of metals. Seawater also Zinc oxide N.R. Dis. N.R.
contains some soluble salts such as Magnesium N.R. N.R. N.R.
sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, oxide
etc. The elements or compounds,
Copper Dis. Dis. N.R.
which occur naturally in the earth’s
oxide
crust, are known as minerals.
Here N. R. = No reaction,
(ii) Ore : At some places, minerals contain
a very high percentage of a particular Dis. = Displacement
metal and the metal can be profitably 14. Which metals do not corrode easily?
extracted from it. These minerals are Ans. Gold and Platinum.
called ores. 15. What are alloys?
(iii) Gangue : The gangue particles are the Ans. Alloys are homogeneous mixtures of two
unwanted materials or impurities like or more elements. The elements could be
sulphide, oxides, silica etc. which are
two metals, or a metal and a non-metal.
mixed in minerals and which are
An alloy is formed by first melting the
removed during extraction of pure
metal and then dissolving the other
metals.
11. Name two metals which are found in elements in it. For example, steel is an
nature in the free state. alloy of iron and carbon.
Ans. Gold and Silver. 16. Which of the following pairs will give
12. What chemical process is used for displacement reactions?
obtaining a metal from its oxide? (a) NaCl solution and copper metal.
Ans. Reduction process is used for obtaining a (b) MgCl2 solution and aluminium metal.
metal from its oxide. (c) FeSO4 solution and silver metal.
13. Metallic oxides of zinc, magnesium and
(d) AgNO3 solution and copper metal.
copper were heated with the following
Ans. (d) AgNO3 solution and copper metal
metals.
[3]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
17. Which of the following methods is Ans. (a) With the hammer, we can beat the
suitable for preventing an iron frying pan sample and if it can be beaten into thin
from rusting? sheets (that is, it is malleable), then it
(a) Applying grease is a metal otherwise a non-metal.
(b) Applying paint Similarly, we can use the battery, bulb,
wires, and a switch to set up a circuit
(c) Applying a coating of zinc
with the sample. If the sample
(d) All of the above
conducts electricity, then it is a metal
Ans. (c) Because iron frying pan is used for
otherwise a non-metal.
cooking food, so applying a coating of zinc
(b) The above tests are useful in
is best suitable method. distinguishing between metals and
18. An element reacts with oxygen to give a non-metals as these are based on the
compound with a high melting point. This physical properties. No chemical
compound is also soluble in water. The reactions are involved in these tests.
element is likely to be 21. What are amphoteric oxides? Give two
(a) Calcium (b) Carbon examples of amphoteric oxides.
(c) Silicon (d) Iron Ans. Those oxides which shows both acidic
Ans. (a) The element is likely to be calcium. and basic nature are called amphoteric
19. Food cans are coated with tin and not oxides.

with zinc because For example, Aluminium oxide (Al2O3),

Zinc oxide (ZnO).
(a) zinc is costlier than tin.
22. Name two metals which will displace
(b) zinc has a higher melting point than
hydrogen from dilute acids, and two
tin.
metals which will not.
(c) zinc is more reactive than tin.
Ans. Metals that are more reactive than
(d) zinc is less reactive than tin.
hydrogen displace it from dilute acids. For
Ans. (c) Food cans are coated with tin and not
example, sodium and potassium. Metals
with zinc because zinc is more
that are less reactive than hydrogen do
reactive than tin.
not displace it. For example, copper and
20. You are given a hammer, a battery, a bulb,
silver.
wires and a switch. 23. In the electrolytic refining of a metal M,
(a) How could you use them to what would you take as the anode, the
distinguish between samples of cathode and the electrolyte?
metals and non-metals? Ans. Anode: impure metal of M
(b) Assess the usefulness of these tests in Cathode: pure metal of M
distinguishing between metals and Electrolyte: solution of compound of
non-metals. metal M

[4]
 Chemistry
24. Pratyush took sulphur powder on a We can get the desired properties by this
spatula and heated it. He collected the gas method.
evolved by inverting a test tube over it, as For example, iron is the most widely used
shown in figure below. metal. But it is never used in its pure state.
This is because pure iron is very soft and
stretches easily when hot. But, if it is
Test tube mixed with a small amount of carbon
Spatula containing (about 0.05 %), it becomes hard and
sulphur powder strong.
Burner 26. What type of oxides is formed when non-
metals combine with oxygen?
Ans. Non-metals combine with oxygen to form
Collection of gas
acidic oxides.
(a) What will be the action of gas on
For example,
(i) dry litmus paper?
S(s) + O2(g) ⎯→ SO2(g)
(ii) moist litmus paper?
(Acidic in nature)
(b) Write a balanced chemical equation
2SO2(g) + O2(g) + 2H2O()
for the reaction taking place. ⎯→ 2H2SO4(aq)
Ans. (a) (i) There will be no action on dry 27. Give reasons
litmus paper. (a) Platinum, gold and silver are used to
(ii) Since the gas is sulphur dioxide make jewellery.
(SO2), it turns moist blue litmus paper (b) Sodium, potassium and lithium are
to red because sulphur dioxide reacts stored under oil.
with moisture to form sulphurous (c) Aluminium is a highly reactive metal,
acid. yet it is used to make utensils for
(b) S(s) + O2(g) ⎯→ SO2(g) cooking.
Sulphur Oxygen Sulphur dioxide (d) Carbonate and sulphide ores are
SO2(g) + H2O() ⎯→ H2SO3(aq) usually converted into oxides during
Sulphur Water Sulphurous the process of extraction.
dioxide acid Ans. (a) Platinum, gold and silver are used to
25. State two ways to prevent the rusting of make jewellery because these are less
iron. reactive and not affected by air, water
Ans. Galvanisation is a method of protecting or chemicals. These are very
steel and iron from rusting by coating malleable, ductile and lustrous also.
them with a thin layer of zinc. The (b) Sodium, potassium and lithium are
galvanised article is protected against stored under oil because these are
rusting even if the zinc coating is broken. highly reactive metals. On exposure to
Alloying is a very good method of air they catch fire, in order to prevent
improving the properties of a metal. fire these metals are stored in oil.

[5]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
(c) Aluminium is a highly reactive metal, Non-metals
yet it is used to make utensils for (i) Non-metals are electronegative.
cooking because aluminium is a light (ii) They react with oxygen to form acidic
metal and can be mould into different or neutral oxides.
shapes also it can prevent its surface (iii) These have covalent bond.
from other chemicals to form (iv) They do not react with water.
aluminium oxide layer. (v) They do not react with dilute acids.
(d) Carbonate and sulphide ores are These are not capable of displacing
usually converted into oxides during hydrogen.
the process of extraction because it is (vi) These react with the salt solution of
easier to obtain metals directly from other non-metals.
their oxides than from their (vii) They act as oxidizing agents (as they
carbonates and sulphide ores. can easily gain electrons).
28. You must have seen tarnished copper 30. A man went door to door posing as a
vessels being cleaned with lemon or goldsmith. He promised to bring back the
tamarind juice. Explain why these sour glitter of old and dull gold ornaments. An
substances are effective in cleaning the unsuspecting lady gave a set of gold
vessels. bangles to him which he dipped in a
Ans. Tarnished copper vessels are cleaned particular solution. The bangles sparkled
with lemon or tamarind juice because like new but their weight was reduced
acids can dissolve basic coating of copper drastically. The lady was upset but after a
oxides or copper carbonate present on futile argument the man beat a hasty
the surface of tarnished copper vessels.
retreat. Can you play the detective to find
This makes them shiny red brown again.
out the nature of the solution he had
29. Differentiate between metal and non-
used?
metal on the basis of their chemical
Ans. He must have dipped the gold metal in the
properties.
solution of aqua regia – a 3:1 mixture of
Ans. Metals
conc. HCl and conc. HNO3. Aqua regia is a
(i) Metals are electropositive.
fuming, highly corrosive liquid. It
(ii) They react with oxygen to form basic
dissolves gold in it. After dipping the gold
oxides.
(iii) These have ionic bond. ornaments in aqua regia, the outer layer
(iv) They react with water to form oxides of gold gets dissolved and the inner shiny
and hydroxides. Some metals react layer appears. That is why, the weight of
with cold water, some with hot water gold ornament is reduced.
and some with steam. 31. Give reasons why copper is used to make
(v) They react with dilute acids to form a hot water tanks and not steel (an alloy of
salt and evolve hydrogen gas. iron).
However, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt and Hg do not Ans. Copper does not react with cold water,
react. hot water or steam. However, iron reacts
(vi)They react with the salt solution of with steam. If the hot water tanks are
other metals. Depending on their made of steel (an alloy of iron), then iron
reactivity, displacement reaction can would react vigorously with the steam
occur. formed from hot water.
(vii) These act as reducing agents (as they 3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2
Iron Steam Iron oxide Hydrogen
can lose electrons). (II, III)

[6]
 Chemistry

EXERCISE-01

Multiple choice questions 9. Which non-metal is a liquid at room

1. Which is the poorest conductor of heat? temperature?
(1) Gold (2) Platinum (1) Oxygen (2) Fluorine
(3) Silver (4) Lead (3) Sulphur (4) Bromine
2. The most malleable metal is 10. Which non-metal is a good conductor of
(1) sodium (2) mercury electricity?
(3) gold (4) lead (1) Phosphorus (2) Fluorine
3. Which metal is used for making foils used (3) Graphite (4) Bromine
in packing of food materials? 11. Generally, non-metals are not lustrous.
(1) Copper (2) Platinum Which of the following non-metal is
(3) Aluminium (4) Sodium lustrous?
4. Which of the following property is (1) Sulphur (2) Oxygen
generally not shown by metals? (3) Nitrogen (4) Iodine
(1) Electrical conduction 12. Although metals form basic oxides, which
(2) Sonorous in nature of the following metals form an
(3) Dullness
amphoteric oxide?
(4) Ductility
(1) Na (2) Ca (3) Al (4) Cu
5. The ability of metals to be drawn into thin
13. Which of the following metal react
wire is known as
vigorously with oxygen?
(1) ductility (2) malleability
(1) Zinc (2) Magnesium
(3) sonority (4) conductivity
(3) Sodium (4) Copper
6. Generally, metals are solid in nature.
14. Which among the following statements is
Which one of the following metals is
incorrect for magnesium metal?
found in liquid state at room
(1) It burns in oxygen with a dazzling
temperature?
white flame.
(1) Na (2) Fe (3) Cr (4) Hg
(2) It reacts with cold water to form
7. An element A is soft and can be cut with a
magnesium oxide and evolves
knife. It is very reactive with air and
hydrogen gas.
cannot be kept open in air. It reacts
(3) It reacts with hot water to form
vigorously with water. Identify the
magnesium hydroxide and evolves
element from the following.
(1) Mg (2) Na (3) P (4) Ca hydrogen gas.
8. The sodium metal is stored in (4) It reacts with steam to form
(1) benzene (2) alcohol magnesium oxide and evolves
(3) kerosene (4) toluene hydrogen gas.

[7]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
15. Which metal does not react with water? 23. Which one of the following properties is
(1) Cu (2) Au not generally exhibited by ionic
(3) Both (1) and (2) (4) Fe compounds?
16. When alkali metals react with water, they (1) Solubility in water.
give (2) Electrical conductivity in solid state.
(1) MOH + O2 (2) MOH + H2O (3) High melting and boiling points.
(3) MOH + H2 (4) MH + H2 (4) Electrical conductivity in molten state.
17. Which one of the following metals do not 24. Cinnabar is an ore of
react with cold as well as hot water? (1) mercury (2) copper
(1) Na (2) Ca (3) Mg (4) Fe (3) calcium (4) lead
18. What happens when calcium is treated 25. Which of the following statements is
with water? correct?
(i) It does not react with water. (1) All minerals are ores.
(ii) It reacts violently with water. (2) All ores are minerals.
(iii) It reacts less violently with water. (3) Some ores are minerals.
(4) None is correct
(iv) Bubbles of hydrogen gas formed stick
26. Which of the following metals exist in
to the surface of calcium.
their native state in nature?
(1) (i) and (iv) (2) (ii) and (iii)
(i) Fe (ii) Au (iii) Zn (iv) Ag
(3) (i) and (ii) (4) (iii) and (iv)
(1) (i) and (ii)
19. Which of the following metals is less
(2) (ii) and (iii)
reactive than hydrogen?
(3) (ii) and (iv)
(1) Cu (2) Ba (3) Mg (4) Pb
(4) (iii) and (iv)
20. Metals above hydrogen in activity series
27. Which metal is used in thermite process?
(1) react with acids to liberate hydrogen
(1) C (2) Co
ions
(3) Al (4) Both (1) and (2)
(2) react with acids to liberate hydrogen
28. The most abundant metal in the Earth
gas
crust is
(3) react with water at ordinary (1) Al (2) Fe (3) O (4) Cu
temperature 29. Silver articles become black on prolonged
(4) None of these exposure to air. This is due to the
21. Which one of the following four metals formation of
would be displaced from the solution of (1) Ag3N (2) Ag2O
its salts by other three metals? (3) Ag2S (4) Ag2S and Ag3N
(1) Mg (2) Ag (3) Zn (4) Cu 30. Galvanisation is a method of protecting
22. Which of the following can undergo a iron from rusting by coating with a thin
chemical reaction? layer of
(1) MgSO4 + Fe (2) ZnSO4 + Fe (1) gallium (2) aluminium
(3) MgSO4 + Pb (4) CuSO4 + Fe (3) zinc (4) silver

[8]
 Chemistry
31. Amalgam is the homogeneous mixture of True or False
(1) metal and metal 1. Mercury is a liquid non-metal.
(2) metal and mercury 2. Silver metal acts as non-conductor of
(3) metal and non-metal electric current.
(4) all of these 3. Iron can liberate H2 from dil. H2SO4 but
32. Which of the following is a ferrous alloy? copper cannot liberate H2 from dil. H2SO4.
(1) Solder (2) Brass 4. Sodium is less reactive than copper.
(3) Magnesium (4) Steel 5. Oxygen is the most abundant metal in the
33. Stainless steel is very useful material for
earth's crust.
our life. In stainless steel, iron is mixed
6. The reactive metals do not occur in nature
with
in the free state.
(1) Ni and Cr (2) Cu and Cr
7. In electrorefining of copper, impure
(3) Ni and Cu (4) Cu and Au
copper is made anode.
34. An alloy is
8. Thermite process is used for joining
(1) an element
(2) a compound railway tracks.
(3) a homogeneous mixture 9. Electroplating of zinc is known as
(4) a heterogeneous mixture galvanisation.
35. Which among the following alloys contain 10. Brass is an alloy of copper and tin.
mercury as one of its constituents? Match the column
(1) Stainless steel (2) Alnico 1.
(3) Solder (4) Zinc amalgam Column-I Column-II
Fill in the blanks (A) Liquid metal (i) Silver
1. ________ is the best conductor of electricity (B) Best conductor (ii) Sodium
2. Out of Al, Zn and Ag, only ________ cannot of heat
displace hydrogen from dil. HCl.
(C) Poorest (iii) Lead
3. The minerals from which metals can be
conductor of
extracted economically are called ________.
heat
4. The processes involved in the production
(D) Metal can be (iv) Mercury
of a metal from the ore are collectively
known as ________. cut with knife
5. Cinnabar is an ore of ________.
6. ________ is the most abundant metal in the 2.
earth's crust. Column-I Column-II
7. The reactive metals occur in nature in the (A) Most reactive (i) Copper
________ state. (B) Least reactive (ii) Potassium
8. Process of heating sulphide ore with (C) Metal less (iii) Bromine
oxygen is called ________. reactive than
9. Process of heating carbonate ore without hydrogen
oxygen is called ________. (D) Non-metal (iv) Gold
10. Solder is an alloy of ________ and ________.

[9]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
Crossword puzzle
1
2

4 5 6

Complete the puzzle using the clues 1. _____________ is the metal used to make
about the words. drinks cans.
Across 2. The metal that is needed for healthy
3. It is also known as a rogue element. bones and teeth is _____________.
4. It burns with a dazzling white flame in air. 3. The metal that is used in thermometers is
7. They show electronegative nature. _____________.
8. Property by virtue of which metals 4. _____________ is the metal used for electrical
produce sound when striked. wiring.
Down 5. The metal used to produce nuclear power
1. An element with atomic number 21. and is radioactive is _____________.
2. An element preceded by atomic number 4 6. A shiny unreactive metal used to make
and followed by atomic number 6. jewellery is _____________.
3. Non-metals with 7 electrons in valence 7. _____________ is stored in kerosene oil due
shell. to reactive nature.
5. These show zero valency. 8. Metal can be squashed into any shape,
6. They show electropositive nature. this is called _____________.
7. A gas used to flush packets of chips. Formulae of ionic compounds
Use appropriate words on physical Use the cross - over method (where
properties of metals to complete this needed) to properly combine the positive
passage. and negative ions in the table below.
[10]
 Chemistry

Negative ion
Positive ion Br– OH– NO3– O2– SO2–4
H+
Li+
NH+4
Pb2+
Al3+

ANSWER KEY

Multiple choice questions

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Answer 4 3 3 3 1 4 2 3 4 3 4 3 3 2 3
Question 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Answer 3 4 4 1 2 2 4 2 1 2 3 3 1 3 3
Question 31 32 33 34 35
Answer 2 4 1 3 4

Fill in the blanks

1. Silver 2. Ag 3. ores 4. metallurgy 5. Mercury
6. Aluminium 7. combined 8. Roasting 9. Calcination 10. Lead, Tin

True or False
1. False 2. False 3. True 4. False 5. False
6. True 7. True 8. True 9. True 10. False

Match the column

1. (A) – (iv), (B) – (i), (C) – (iii), (D) – (ii)
2. (A) – (ii), (B) – (iv), (C) – (i), (D) – (iii)
[11]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
Crossword puzzle
1S
C 2B

A O
N R
3H Y D R O G E N
A I N
L U
O 4M A G 5N E S I U 6M
G O E
E B T
N7 O N M E T A L A
I E L
T G
R A
O 8S O N O R I T Y
G
E
N

Use appropriate words on physical properties of metals to complete this passage.

1. Aluminium 2. Calcium 3. Mercury 4. Copper 5. Uranium
6. Gold 7. Potassium 8. Malleability

Formulae of ionic compounds

Negative ion
Positive ion Br– OH– NO3– O2– SO2–4
H+ HBr HOH (H2O) HNO3 H 2O H2SO4
Li+ LiBr LiOH LiNO3 Li2O Li2SO4
NH+4 NH4Br NH4OH NH4NO3 (NH4)2O (NH4)2SO4
Pb2+ Pb(Br)2 Pb(OH)2 Pb(NO3)2 PbO PbSO4
Al3+ Al(Br)3 Al(OH)3 Al(NO3)3 Al2O3 Al2(SO4)3

[12]
 Chemistry

EXERCISE-02
Very short answer type questions 12. Why do shopkeepers apply oil on tools
1. Name one non-metal and one metal which made of iron while storing them?

are liquid at room temperature. OR

Why do we apply oil on iron tools kept in
2. Name a metal that offers higher
storage?
resistance to the passage of electricity
13. What is galvanization?
than copper.
14. What is the name of alloy of mercury?
3. Name two metals both of which are very 15. Which element is alloyed with copper to
ductile as well as very malleable. make bronze?
4. From the following metals sodium, Short answer type questions
calcium, aluminium, copper and 1. Give two examples each of the metals that
are good conductors and poor conductors
magnesium, name the metal
of heat respectively.
(i) which reacts with water only on
2. An element reacts with oxygen to form an
boiling and
oxide which dissolves in dilute
(ii) another which does not react even hydrochloric acid. The oxide also turns a
with steam. solution of red litmus blue. Is the element
5. Which one of the following is – a metal or a non-metal? Explain with the
Au, Na, Cu, Ca help of a suitable example.
(a) the most reactive metal, 3. Name three non-metallic oxides which
are acidic in nature.
(b) the least reactive metal?
4. A metal A, which is used in thermite
6. Which property of graphite is utilised in
process, when heated with oxygen gives
making electrodes?
an oxide B, which is amphoteric in nature.
7. What is the nature of metal oxides? Identify A and B. Write down the
8. What happens when calcium is treated reactions of oxide B with dilute HCl and
with water? dilute NaOH.
9. What is thermite reaction? 5. Give the formulae of the stable binary

10. What is corrosion? compounds that would be formed by the

combination of following pairs of
11. What would happen to copper vessel if it
elements.
is left for a few days in humid atmosphere
(a) Mg and N2 (b) Li and O2
without being cleaned?
(c) Al and Cl2 (d) K and O2
[13]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
6. Sodium and potassium are stored under 15. What happens when
kerosene oil, why? (a) ZnCO3 is heated in the absence of
7. What is activity series of metals? Arrange oxygen?
the following metals in the increasing (b) a mixture of Cu2O and Cu2S is heated?
order of their reactivity: 16. Give the reaction involved during
Aluminium, Zinc, Mercury. extraction of zinc from its ore by
8. Choose the metal (from the list given (a) roasting of zinc ore
below) which can displace zinc from zinc (b) calcination of zinc ore
sulphate solution. 17. During extraction of metals, electrolytic
Lead, Copper, Magnesium, Silver. Write refining is used to obtain pure metals. (a)
the equation of the chemical reaction Which material will be used as anode and
involved. cathode for refining of silver metal by this
9. Sodium hydroxide should not be stored in
process? (b) Suggest a suitable electrolyte
aluminium containers. Why?
also. (c) In this electrolytic cell, where do
10. A solution of CuSO4 was kept in an iron
we get pure silver after passing electric
pot. After few days the iron pot was found
current?
to have a number of holes in it. Explain the
18. State two ways to prevent the rusting of
reason in terms of reactivity. Write the
iron.
equation of the reaction involved.
19. What do you mean by corrosion of
11. (i) Write the electron dot structure for
metals?
sodium, oxygen, magnesium and
20. What are the constituents of solder alloy?
chlorine. Which property of solder makes it
(ii) Show the formation of potassium suitable for welding electrical wires?
chloride (KCl) and magnesium Long answer type questions
chloride (MgCl2) by the 1. Of the three metals X, Y and Z, X reacts
transfer of electrons. Name the ions with cold water, Y with hot water and Z
present in these compounds. with steam only. Identify X, Y and Z and
12. Explain why sodium is not found in the also arrange them in order of increasing
native state. reactivity.
13. "All ores are minerals but all minerals are 2. An element A burns with golden yellow
not ores". Justify the statement with flame in air. It reacts with another
examples. element B, having atomic number 17 to
14. A metal that exists as a liquid at room give a product C. An aqueous solution of
temperature is obtained by heating its product C on electrolysis gives a
sulphide ore in the presence of air. compound D and liberates hydrogen.
Identify the metal and its ore and give the Identify A, B, C and D. Also write down the
reaction involved. equations for the reactions involved.

[14]
 Chemistry
3. Explain physical properties of ionic 7. Give the steps involved in the extraction
compounds. of metals of low and medium reactivity
4. Give reason from their respective sulphide ores.
8. (i) Given below are the steps for
(i) Ionic compounds have high melting
extraction of copper from its ore.
points.
Write the reaction involved.
(ii) Electric wires are covered with
(a) Roasting of copper (I) sulphide
rubber like material. (b) Reduction of copper (I) oxide with
5. (a) Name the main ore of mercury. How is copper (I) sulphide.
mercury obtained from its ore? Give (c) Electrolytic refining of impure
balanced chemical equations. copper
(b) What is thermite reaction? How is it (ii) Draw a neat and well labelled
used to join the railway tracks or diagram for electrolytic refining of
copper.
cracked machine parts?
9. What do you meant by corrosion? Explain
(c) Name the method used to extract
its preventive methods.
metals of high reactivity. 10. Name a metal/non-metal:
6. (i) How is copper obtained from its ore (a) Which makes iron hard and strong?
(sulphide ore)? Write balanced (b) Which is alloyed with any other metal
chemical equations. to make an amalgam?
(ii) How is impure copper purified by (c) Which is used to galvanise iron
electrolytic refining? Draw a labelled articles?
diagram to illustrate it. (d) Whose articles when exposed to air
form a black coating?

[15]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

Exercise-01 Solutions

Multiple choice questions 13. Option (3)

1. Option (4) Sodium is highly reactive and comes
Lead is the poorest conductor of heat. above zinc, magnesium and copper in
2. Option (3) activity series.
Gold has strong metallic bond that's why 14. Option (2)
it is most malleable. Magnesium reacts with hot boiling water
3. Option (3) to form Mg(OH)2 and hydrogen gas. It
It is malleable in nature so makes very does not react with cold water.
thin sheets. It is used for packing food 15. Option (3)
materials.
Copper and Gold comes below hydrogen
4. Option (3)
in the activity series so not able to
Metals are lustrous in nature.
displace hydrogen from water.
5. Option (1)
16. Option (3)
The ability of metals to be drawn into thin
MOH and hydrogen forms.
wire is known as ductility.
17. Option (4)
6. Option (4)
Iron reacts only with steam.
Mercury is the only common metal which
18. Option (4)
is liquid at ordinary temperatures.
Calcium reacts fairly vigorously with cold
7. Option (2)
water is an exothermic reaction. Bubbles
Sodium is very soft metal and can be cut
with a knife. It reacts vigorously with of hydrogen gas are given off, and a white

water, because it is highly reactive. precipitate (of calcium hydroxide) is

8. Option (3) formed, together with an alkaline solution

Sodium metal is stored in kerosene. (of calcium hydroxide - which is slightly
9. Option (4) soluble).
Bromine is a liquid non-metal. 19. Option (1)
10. Option (3) Copper comes below hydrogen in activity
Graphite (carbon) is a good conductor of series.
electricity. 20. Option (2)
11. Option (4) Metals above hydrogen in the activity
Iodine, is a lustrous non- metal. series are more reactive than hydrogen,
12. Option (3) so they liberate hydrogen gas from dilute
Aluminium oxide reacts with acids as well acids.
as base.
[16]
 Chemistry
21. Option (2) 28. Option (1)
Silver is least reactive from the given The most abundant metal on earth is
elements. aluminium. Aluminium is the third most
22. Option (4) abundant element in the Earth's crust.
Iron is more reactive than copper so it will 29. Option (3)
displace copper from its salt. Due to reaction with sulphur in the air to
23. Option (2) form Ag2S.
When solid, the strong electrostatic forces 30. Option (3)
keep the ions immobile. Since there are Zinc is used in galvanisation method to
no mobile charged particles, electrical protect the iron from rusting.
conduction is not possible. 31. Option (2)
When molten, sufficient energy is Alloy of mercury with one or more metals
provided and taken in by the ions to is known as amalgam.
overcome the electrostatic forces. The 32. Option (4)
crystal lattice breaks apart, the ions are Steels are alloys of iron and carbon,
free to move and thus conduct current. widely used in construction and other
24. Option (1) applications because of their high tensile
Cinnabar (HgS) is ore of mercury. strengths and low costs.
25. Option (2) 33. Option (1)
Minerals are those substance that occur Stainless steel is an alloy of iron with
naturally in the earth's crust whereas nickel and chromium.
those minerals which have high 34. Option (3)
percentage of a particular metal and from An alloy is made by combining two or
which metal can be extracted profitably more metallic elements, especially to give
are called ores. greater strength or resistance to
26. Option (3) corrosion.
Gold and silver are noble metals. They 35. Option (4)
don't react with air and water so they In amalgam one constituent will be
occur in native state in nature. mercury.
27. Option (3) True or False
Reduction of metal oxides with 1. False
aluminium powder in which a huge Mercury is metal which is in liquid state.
amount of heat is liberated is called 2. False
thermite process. Silver is a good conductor of electricity.

[17]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
3. True 7. True
Copper comes under hydrogen in the In electrorefining process of copper
activity series impure copper is made anode and pure
4. False copper is made cathode.
Sodium is more reactive than copper and 8. True
sodium comes above copper in the Thermite process is used for joining
activity series. railway tracks.
5. False 9. True
Oxygen is a non metal most abundant Electroplating of zinc is known as
metal in the earth's crust is aluminium. galvanisation.
6. True 10. False
Reactive metals react with the oxygen and Brass is an alloy of Copper and Zinc.
moisture present in the air and forms
respective oxides and hydroxides.

[18]
 Chemistry

Exercise-02 Solutions

Very short answer type questions 13. Galvanisation is the process of applying a
1. Metal → Mercury, protective zinc coating to iron article to
Non metal → Bromine. prevent rusting.
2. Tungsten, Aluminium etc. metals offer 14. Amalgam is an alloy of mercury.
higher resistance to the passage of 15. Tin.
electricity. Short answer type questions
3. Gold and silver are very ductile as well as 1. Good conductors of heat- silver and
malleable. copper.
4. (i) Magnesium (ii) Copper Bad conductors of heat- lead and
5. (a) Na (b) Au. mercury.
6. Graphite conducts electricity. 2. The element is metal because it is reacting
7. Metal oxides are generally basic in nature. with oxygen to form a basic oxide.
8. Calcium reacts less violently with water e.g 4Na + O2 → 2Na2O
to produces hydrogen gas along with lime Na2O + H2O → 2NaOH
water. NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O
9. Reaction between Aluminium powder 3. Carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide
and Fe2O3, is known as thermite reaction. (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO2)
2 Al + Fe2O3 → Al2O3 + 2 Fe 4. A= Aluminium
10. Corrosion is natural process that converts B= Al2O3
a metal into its chemically stable oxide, Al2O3 + 6HCl → 2AlCl3+ 3H2O
hydroxide or sulphide. Al2O3 + 2NaOH → 2NaAlO2+H2O
11. Copper reacts with CO2 in the air and 5. (a) Mg3N2 (b) Li2O
slowly loses its shiny brown surface and (c) AlCl3 (d) K2O
acquires a green coating of basic copper 6. Sodium and Potassium are very highly
carbonate in moist air. reactive metals. When these metals are
12. To protect the surface of iron against kept open or exposed to air, they react
moisture and chemicals etc. Also oiling violently with oxygen and start burning
prevents the surface from getting instantly. So to protect them, these metals
scratched. are stored under kerosene.

[19]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
7. The arrangement of metals in decreasing The metals at the top of reactivity series
order of reactivity is called reactivity are not expected to occur in free state due
series or activity series of metals. to their reactive nature. They exist in
combination with other elements as
Mercury < zinc < aluminium
oxides, carbonates, halides, sulphates,
8. Magnesium can displace Zinc from zinc
sulphides, etc.
sulphate solution.
For example, Sodium, potassium, calcium,
ZnSO4 + Mg → MgSO4 + Zn
aluminium, magnesium, etc. are very
9. Sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminium,
reactive metals. All of these are lying at
corroding the metal and producing highly
the top of activity series. These are never
flammable hydrogen gas. That's why
found in the free state.
NaOH cannot be stored in aluminium
13. Minerals are those substances that occur
containers.
naturally in the earth's crust whereas
10. Iron is more reactive than copper. Hence,
those minerals which have high
iron displaced copper from copper
percentage of a particular metal and from
sulphate solution. This reaction resulted
which metal can be extracted profitably
in formation of holes in the iron pot. The
are called ores. Hence, all ores are called
following equation shows this reaction.
minerals. But, metals cannot be extracted
CuSO4 + Fe → FeSO4 + Cu
from all minerals profitably. Only some
11. (i) Sodium (2, 8, 1) Na Na•
minerals have a high concentration of the
••
Oxygen (2, 6) O •• O •• metal. Therefore all minerals are not ores.
Magnesium (2, 8, 2)Mg Mg×× Aluminium metal is found in both
Chlorine (2, 8, 7) Cl •• minerals: clay and bauxite. Aluminium
•• Cl••
• metal is extracted only from bauxite in a
(ii)
convenient way. So, bauxite is an ore of
••
•• Cl•• [K+] [Cl] aluminium. On the other hand, it is not
K •
••
••
Cl••
extracted from clay so clay remains only
–
Mg •
•• [Mg2+] [Cl]2 as mineral not ore of aluminium.
•• Cl••
• 14. Since the given metal exists as liquid at
room temperature, hence it is mercury.
Ions in KCl → potassium ion [K+] and Cinnabar (HgS) is an ore of mercury.
chloride ion [Cl–] The first step of extraction of mercury is
Ions in MgCl2 → Magnesium ion [Kg2+] heating cinnabar ore in air to get mercury
oxide. After that, mercury oxide is
and chloride ion [Cl–]
reduced to obtain mercury. The following
12. Sodium is extremely reactive. It reacts equations show the reactions involved.
spontaneously with air, water, so it is not 2HgS + 3O2 ⎯→ 2HgO + 2SO2
found in the native state. Heat
2HgO ⎯⎯⎯⎯
→ 2Hg + O2

[20]
 Chemistry
15. (a) When zinc carbonate is heated in the 19. Corrosion is the gradual destruction of
absence of oxygen, zinc oxide and materials (usually metals) by chemical
carbon dioxide are produced. reaction with their environment. In the
ZnCO3 ⎯→ ZnO + CO2
most common use of the word, this
(b) When a mixture of copper oxide and
means electrochemical oxidation of
copper sulphide is heated, pure
copper is obtained. metals in reaction with an oxidant such
2Cu2O + Cu2S 6Cu + SO2 as oxygen.
16. (a) 2ZnS + 3O2 2ZnO + 2SO2 20. Solder is an alloy of lead and tin. The low
(b) ZnCO3 ⎯→ ZnO + CO2 melting point makes it suitable for
ZnO + CO ⎯→ Zn + CO2 welding electrical wires.
17. (a) In electrolytic refining, impure metal
Long answer type questions
is always used as anode and pure
1. X is sodium, Y is magnesium and Z is iron.
metal is used as cathode. Metals are
electropositive in nature and hence Order in reactivity series: Na > Mg > Fe
they are released from anode and get 2. A is sodium (burns with golden flame), B
deposited on cathode. Hence, impure is chlorine (atomic number 17), C is
silver will be used as anode and pure sodium chloride and D is sodium
silver will be used as cathode.
hydroxide.
(b) Silver chloride
When sodium reacts with chlorine, it
(c) At cathode
18. (1) Galvanization: In this method, for gives sodium chloride.
preventing the rusting of iron and 2Na + Cl2 ⎯→ 2NaCl
steel, they are coated with a thin Electrolysis of sodium chloride gives
layer of a Zinc. The galvanised iron sodium hydroxide.
article is protected against rusting as 2NaCl + 2H2O ⎯→ 2NaOH + Cl2 + H2
layer of zinc isolate the iron surface
3. Physical properties of ionic
with moist air hence prevent rusting
compounds
or corrosion due to oxidation.
(2) Painting: In this method, for (a) Physical state
preventing the rusting of iron and Ionic compounds are solids and
steel, they are coated with a thin relatively hard because of the strong
layer of paint. The painted iron force of attraction between the
article is protected against rusting as
positive and negative ions. This force
layer of paint isolate the iron surface
of attraction is also known as strong
with moist air hence prevent rusting
or corrosion due to oxidation. The electrostatic force of attraction. These
galvanised article is protected compounds are generally brittle and
against rusting even if the zinc break into pieces when pressure is
coating is broken. applied.
[21]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
(b) Solubility Metal Colour of flame
Electrovalent compounds are generally Sodium Yellow
soluble in water (because of their polar Barium salts Green
nature) and insoluble in solvents such Potassium Lilac/violet
as kerosene, petrol, etc. 4. (i) Ionic compounds have high melting
(c) Melting and boiling points and boiling points, due to the strong
Ionic compounds have high melting electrostatic force of attraction
and boiling points, due to the strong
between the oppositely charged ions.
electrostatic force of attraction
Therefore, large amount of energy is
between the oppositely charged ions.
needed to break these bonds.
Therefore, large amount of energy is
(ii) Rubber is an insulator an does not
needed to break these bonds.
allowed electricity to pass through it,
Ionic Melting Boiling
which makes electrical wires safe to
Compound Point (K) Point (K)
hold or carry and the involved person
NaCl 1074 1738
does not get shock if he comes into
LiCl 878 > 1655
KBr 1007 1708 contact with the wire.

KI 953 1600 5. (a) Main ore of mercury is cinnabar(HgS).

CaCl2 1055 1870 Mercury can be obtained from its ore

CaO 2845 3123 by heating the cinnabar ore in current
MgCl2 987 1685 of air and condensing the mercury
vapour formed. Due to its relatively
(d) Conduction of electricity low boiling point mercury can be
Ionic compounds in the solid state do
easily purified by vacuum distillation.
not conduct electricity because
The reaction of mercury sulphide with
movement of ions in the solid state is
oxygen is given below:
not possible due to their rigid
structure. But they can conduct 2HgS + 3O2 ⎯→ 2HgO + 2SO2
electricity in molten or aqueous state. 
2HgO ⎯⎯ → 2Hg + O2
(e) Colour to the flame (b) A thermite reaction is basically iron
Most of the salts when brought into
oxide (rust) reacting with aluminium
the flame, impart characteristic
to produce molten iron. The reaction
colour to the flame.
is initiated by the heat from burning
Flame colours are produced from the
movement of the electrons in the magnesium ribbon which is placed in
metal ions present in the compounds. the iron oxide/aluminium mixture.

[22]
 Chemistry
This works because the thermite Key
e– – + e–
mixture is aluminum powder and iron
– +
oxide (rust) powder. When the
Cathode Anode
mixture is heated, it starts reacting:
the aluminium is more reactive than
Tank Acidified
the iron, so it "pinches" the oxygen
copper
from the iron to make aluminum oxide sulphate
Impurities
and iron. (anode mud) solution

A balanced equation for the reaction is

7. Extraction of Mercury: Mercury is a metal
Fe2O3 + 2Al ⎯→ Al2O3 + 2Fe + Heat of low reactivity. Cinnabar, i.e. mercury
(c) Electrolysis (II) sulphide is the ore of mercury. It is
6. (i) Copper metal can be extracted by just heated in air so that it is oxidized to
heating its sulphide ore in air. produce mercury (II) oxide. After that,
3Cu2S(s) + 3O2 (g) mercury oxide is reduced to obtain
⎯→ 2Cu2O(s) + 2SO2(g) mercury. The following reactions are
2Cu2O(s) + Cu2S(s) involved in this process.
⎯→ 6Cu(s) + SO2(g) 2HgS + 3O2 ⎯→ 2HgO + 2SO2
Cu2S itself acts as reducing agent. 
2HgO ⎯⎯→ 2Hg + O2
(ii) Electrolytic refining of copper Extraction of metals of medium reactivity
In this process, the positive electrode series: The metals in the middle of the
(the anode) is made of the impure reactivity series are also extracted by
copper which is to be purified. The roasting; followed by reduction but the
negative electrode (the cathode) is a methods are somewhat different.
bar of pure copper. The two electrodes Extraction of Zinc: Zinc lies in the middle
are placed in a solution of copper (II) of the reactivity series. It is found in the
sulfate. form of zinc blende which is zinc sulphide.
The diagram shows what happens It is first heated in the presence of air to
when electrolysis begins. Copper ions obtain zinc oxide. This process can be
leave the anode and are attracted to shown by following equation.
the cathode, where they are deposited 2ZnS + 3O2 ⎯→ 2ZnO + 2SO2
as copper atoms. The pure copper After that, zinc oxide is reduced to obtain
cathode increases greatly in size, pure zinc metal. The reduction is done in
while the anode dwindles away. The the presence of carbon. This can be shown
impurities left behind at the anode by following equation.

form a sludge beneath it. ZnO + C ⎯→ Zn + CO

[23]
NCERT Basics : Class 10
8. (i) (a)Roasting of copper (1) sulphide (ii) Self prevention : Some metals form
2Cu2S + 3O2 ⎯→ 2Cu2O + 2SO2 protective layers.
For example, When zinc is left
(b) Reduction of copper (1) oxide with
exposed to the atmosphere, it
copper (1) sulphide.
combines with the oxygen of air to
2Cu2O + Cu2S ⎯→ 6Cu + SO2
form a layer of zinc oxide over its
(c) Electrolytic refining surface. The oxides layer does not
At cathode: Cu2+ + 2e– ⎯→ Cu allow air to go inside the metal. Thus,
At anode : Cu → Cu2+ + 2e– zinc is protected from corrosion by its
(ii) own protective layer.
Similarly, aluminium combines with
Key
e– – + e– oxygen to form a dull layer of
– + aluminium oxide on its surface which
Cathode Anode protects aluminium from further
corrosion.
Tank Acidified
(iii) Cathodic protection : In this
copper method, the more reactive metal
sulphate
Impurities which is more corrosion-prone is
(anode mud) solution
connected to a bar of another metal
9. The process of slowly eating up of metals which is less reactive and to be
due to their conversion into oxides, protected. In this process, electron
carbonates, sulphide, sulphates, etc. by flows from more reactive metal to the
less reactive metal. The metal to be
the action of atmospheric gases and
protected becomes the cathode and
moisture is called corrosion.
the more reactive metal becomes the
In case iron is the metal involved in the
anode.
chemical process, then corrosion is called In this way, the two metals form an
rusting. electrochemical cell and oxidation of
Prevention of corrosion the metal is prevented.
(i) By painting : The corrosion of a metal For example, The pipelines (iron)
under the surface of the earth are
can be prevented simply by painting
protected from corrosion by
the metal surface by grease or varnish
connecting them to a more reactive
that forms a protective layer on the
metal (magnesium or Zn) which is
surface of the metal which protect the buried in the earth and connected to
metal from moisture and air. the pipelines by a wire.

[24]
 Chemistry
water and check corrosion. If the
e– surface of metal is electroplated by
zinc, it is known as galvanisation and
in case tin metal is used, then the

Moist process is called tinning.

Soil (vi) By alloying : It is a very good method
(–) of improving the properties of a
(+)
metal.
Mg
Sacrificial Fe
Pipeline An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of
anode (cathode)
(oxidation) (reduction) two or more metals or non-metal. It
can be prepared by first melting the
Cathodic protection metal and then dissolving the other
(iv) Oiling and greasing : Both protect elements (metal or non-metal) in
the surface of metal against moisture proper proportions. The physical
and chemicals, etc. In addition the oil properties of an alloy are different
and grease prevent the surface from from the constituent metals (from
getting scratched. which it is made).
(v) Electroplating : It is a very common 10. (a) Carbon is added to make iron hard
and effective method to check and strong .
corrosion. The surface of metal is (b) Mercury (Hg) is alloyed with any
coated with chromium, nickel or other metal to make an amalgam.
aluminium, etc. by electrolysis also (c) Zinc is used to galvanise iron articles.
called electroplating. They are quite (d) Silver articles when exposed to air
resistant to the attack by both air and form a black coating.

[25]
 Metals and Non-metals
Practice sheet

Time : 20 minutes Maximum marks : 10

Instructions
• This test contains 6 questions.
• Q.1 to Q.3 are one-mark questions, to be answer in about one word or one sentence.
• Q.4 & Q.5 are two-marks questions, to be answer in about 50 words.
• Q.6 is three-marks question, to be answer in about 80 words.

1. Which gas is liberated when a metal reacts with an acid? How will you test the presence of this
gas?
2. Arrange the following metals in the decreasing order of reactivity: Na, K, Cu, Ag.
3. Write one example of each of
(i) a metal which is so soft that, it can be cut with knife and a non-metal which is the hardest
substance.
(ii) a metal and a non-metal which exist as liquid at room temperature.
4. Give reason for the following:
(a) Aluminium oxide is considered as an amphoteric oxide.
(b) Ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten state.
5. Suggest a method of reduction for the following metals during their metallurgical processes:
(i) metal ‘A’ which is one of the last, second or third position in the reactivity.
(ii) metal ‘B’ which gives vigorous reaction even with water and air.
(iii) metal ‘C’ which is kept in the middle of activity series.
6. An ore on heating in air produces sulphur dioxide. Which process would you suggest for its
concentration? Describe briefly any two steps involved in the conversion of this concentrated
ore into related metal.

[1]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

Practice sheet solutions

1. Hydrogen gas is formed. Bring a burning matchstick near to it, H2 will burn explosively with
‘pop’ sound.
2. K > Na > Cu > Ag
3. (i) Sodium, carbon (diamond).
(ii)Mercury is liquid metal, bromine is liquid non-metal.
4. (a) It is because it reacts with acids as well as bases to produce salts and water. ’Al’ is less
electropositive metal. So, it forms amphoteric oxide which can react with acid as well as
base.
(b) Ionic compounds can conduct electricity in molten state because ions become free to move
in molten state.
5. (i) ‘A’ can be obtained by self-reduction or by heating.
(ii) ‘B’ can be obtained by electrolytic reduction.
(iii) ‘C’ can be reduced by reducing agent like ‘Al’.
6. It is concentrated by froth-flotation process.
(i) Roasting: The concentrated sulphide ore is heated strongly in the presence of oxygen to
convert it into its oxide.
2ZnS(s) + 3O2 (g) → 2ZnO (s) + 2SO2(g)
(ii) Reduction: This oxide of metal is reduced with suitable reducing agent to get free metal.
heat
ZnO(s) + C(s) ⎯⎯⎯ → Zn(s) + CO(g)

[2]
 Metals and Non-metals
Test

Time : 30 minutes Maximum marks : 20

Instructions
• This test contains 20 questions
• Each question has FOUR options (1), (2), (3) and (4) ONLY ONE of these four options are correct
• For each question, marks will be awarded in one of the following categories:
Full Marks : +1 : If only correct answer is given
Zero Marks : 0 : If no answer is given
Negative Marks : There is no negative marking

Multiple choice questions

1. Which of the following pair of metals exists in their native state in nature?
(1) Ag and Hg (2) Ag and Zn (3) Au and Hg (4) Au and Ag
2. The non-metal which conducts electricity is
(1) diamond (2) graphite (3) silver (4) chlorine
3. The metal extracted from calamine ore is
(1) calcium (2) zinc (3) copper (4) iron
4. Which of the following reactants are used to carry out the thermite reaction required for welding
the broken railway tracks?
(1) Al2O3 + Fe (2) MnO2 + Al (3) Fe2O3 + Al (4) Cu2O + Fe
5. In electrolytic refining, the insoluble impurities settle as
(1) metal hydroxide (2) cathode mud
(3) metal sulfide (4) anode mud
6. Which of the following alloys contains a non-metal as one of the constituents?
(1) brass (2) amalgam (3) steel (4) bronze
7. Which of the following metals can be obtained from haematite ore?
(1) copper (2) sodium (3) zinc (4) iron
8. The compound soluble in ether is
(1) Sodium chloride (2) Magnesium chloride
(3) Methyl chloride (4) Aluminum chloride

[1]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

9. The metal which is always present in an amalgam is

(1) iron (2) aluminium (3) mercury (4) magnesium
10. Which of the following metals are extracted by the electrolysis of their molten chlorides?
(1) Na and Hg (2) Hg and Mg (3) Na and Mg (4) Cu and Fe
11. The articles made of silver metal become dark on prolonged exposure to air. This is due to the
formation of a layer of its
(1) oxide (2) hydride (3) sulphide (4) carbonate
12. In an ionic compound, the species formed after loosing its electron is known as
(1) anion (2) cation (3) valency (4) valence electron
13. The positively and negatively charged radicals in an electrovalent bond are held together by very
strong force of attraction known as
(1) electrostatic force (2) bond force
(3) electrovalency force (4) none of these
14. A sulphide ore is converted into metal oxide by the process of
(1) carbonation (2) roasting (3) calcination (4) anodising
15. An element X reacts with hydrogen, when heated, to form a covalent hydride H2X. If H2X has a
smell of rotten eggs, the element X is likely to be
(1) carbon (2) sulphur (3) chlorine (4) phosphorus
16. The type of bond present in CCl4 is
(1) Ionic bond (2) Covalent bond
(3) Electrovalent bond (4) Dative bond
17. A non-metal used to preserve food material is
(1) carbon (2) sulphur (3) phosphorus (4) nitrogen
18. A metal less reactive and another metal more reactive than hydrogen are
(1) aluminium and lead (2) iron and magnesium
(3) copper and tin (4) copper and mercury
19. Which one of the following four metals would be displaced from the solution of its salt by the
other three metals?
(1) Na (2) Zn (3) Al (4) Mg
20. Which of the following pair of reactants can undergo a displacement reaction under appropriate
condition?
(1) MgSO4 + Fe (2) FeSO4 + Zn (3) MgSO4 + Pb (4) FeSO4 + Cu

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Answer 4 2 2 3 4 3 4 3 3 3
Question 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Answer 3 2 1 2 2 2 4 3 2 2

Test Solutions

1. Option (4)
Au, Ag, Pt etc metals exist in their native state in nature.
2. Option (2)
Diamond and chlorine do not conduct electricity. Silver is a good conductor of electricity but is
not a non-metal. Graphite (an allotrope of carbon) is a non-metal, which conducts electricity.
3. Option (2)
Zinc is extracted from calamine ore. It remains as zinc carbonate in the ore.
4. Option (3)
Mixture of Fe2O3 and aluminium powder is employed for thermite reaction.
5. Option (4)
An equivalent amount of pure metal from the electrolyte is deposited on the cathode. The
soluble impurities go into the solution, whereas the insoluble impurities settle down at the
bottom of the anode and are known as anode mud.
6. Option (3)
Steel contains carbon as one of the constituents.
7. Option (4)
Iron metal is obtained from haematite ore.
8. Option (3)
Methyl chloride is a covalent compound. So, it dissolves in ether. Sodium chloride, magnesium
chloride, and aluminum chloride are ionic compounds. They dissolve in water and not in an
organic solvent like ether.
9. Option (3)
Mercury is always present in the amalgam.
10. Option (3)
Very highly reactive metals like Na, K, Ca, Mg etc. are extracted by the electrolysis of their
molten chlorides.

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

11. Option (3)

2 Ag + H2S ⎯→ Ag2S + H2
Black

12. Option (2)

The species formed after loosing electrons is cation.
13. Option (1)
Electrovalent bond are held together by very strong force of attraction known as electrostatic
force.
14. Option (2)
The sulphide ores are converted into oxides by heating strongly in the presence of excess air.
This process is known as roasting.
15. Option (2)
H2S has the smell of rotten eggs. So, the element X is sulphur here.
16. Option (2)
CCl4 is made of one carbon atom and 4 chlorine atoms. The carbon atom has 4 outermost
electrons which share with 4 valence electrons of four chlorine atoms(each chlorine atom has
one valence electron). Thus, CCl4 has four single covalent bonds.
17. Option (4)
Nitrogen is used to preserve food materials because it is inert. It does not combine easily with
atmospheric oxygen. Thus, it preserves food materials from rancidity.
18. Option (3)
Copper is less reactive than hydrogen whereas tin is more reactive than hydrogen.
19. Option (2)
Zinc is the least reactive metal among given options.
20. Option (2)
Zinc being more reactive than iron, can displace it from its sulphate solution.

[4]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

Metals and Non-metals DPP-01

Multiple choice questions

1. Which of the following property of metals makes them suitable for jewellery making?
(1) Hardness (2) Conductivity (3) Malleability (4) Lustre
2. The property due to which metals can be beaten into thin sheets is called
(1) malleability (2) ductility (3) lustre (4) sonority
3. Silver foils are used to decorate sweets. The property due to which it can be used like that is
(1) ductility (2) malleability (3) sonority (4) hardness
4. A metal is used for making bells because of which of the following properties of metals.
(1) Malleability (2) Ductility (3) Conductivity (4) Sonority
5. Which of the following is brittle in nature.
(1) Fe (2) Cu (3) C (4) Ag
Match the column
6.
Column-I Column-II
(A) Good conductor of heat and electricity (p) Cr

(B) Hardest metal (q) S

(C) Insulator of electricity (r) Cu
(D) Softest metal (s) Cs

Fill in the blanks

7. __________ plays an important role in maintaining proper calcium levels in the bones.
True or False
8. Gold is the oldest known metal
9. Mercury exists in liquid state and it shows high electrical conductivity.
10. Gold and silver are the most ductile metals
Integer type question
11. x elements are solid non-metals among the following elements. Carbon, nitrogen, chlorine,
helium, phosphorus, sulphur and Iodine what is x?

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Diagram based question

12. Which physical property of metals is being seen through diagrams?

(1) (2)

Metal wire Stand

Stand
Metal wire
Free end
Free end Clamp
Clamp
of wire Battery
of wire Bulb
Wax
Wax

Pin
Pin

(3) Burner
Burner (4) Clips Switch

A B Insert sample
to be tested

Subjective questions
13. Name two non-metals which are both brittle and non-ductile.
14. A non- metal X exists in two different forms Y and Z. Y is the hardest natural substance, whereas
Z is a good conductor of electricity. Identify X, Y and Z.
15. Name a metal which is liquid at room temperature.

[2]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

SOLUTIONS DPP – 01
Answer Key

Question 1 2 3 4 5
Answer 4 1 2 4 3

1. Option (4)
Lustre is the property of metals that makes them suitable for jewellery making.
2. Option (1)
The property due to which metals can be beaten into thin sheets is called malleability
3. Option (2)
Silver foils are used to decorate sweets due to the property of malleability.
4. Option (4)
Metals produce ringing sound when they are hit by an object and this property of metals is
called sonority.
5. Option (3)
Carbon being nonmetal, brittle in nature.
6. A-r, B-p, C-q, D-s
Copper is good conductor of heat and electricity. Chromium is hardest metal. Sulphur is
insulator of electricity. Caesium is softest metal.
7. Magnesium
Magnesium plays a role in maintaining proper calcium levels in the bones
8. True
Gold is the oldest known metal
9. False
Mercury exists in liquid state and it shows low electrical conductivity.
10. True
Gold and silver are the most ductile metals.
11. 4
Carbon, Phosphorus, Sulphur and iodine are solid non-metals.
12. 1. Lustrous 2. Malleability 3. Heat conductivity 4. Electrical conductivity
13. Carbon and Sulphur non-metals both are brittle and non-ductile.
14. Carbon exists in two different forms that is Diamond and Graphite. Diamond is the hardest
natural substance, whereas Graphite is a good conductor of electricity.
15. Mercury is liquid at room temperature.

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Metals and Non-metals DPP-02

Multiple choice questions

1. Which of the following metals is stored in kerosene?
(1) Li (2) Na (3) Mg (4) Cu
2. The most reactive and least reactive among the following is
K, Mg, Al, Cu, Na, Fe
(1) K and Cu respectively (2) K and Fe respectively
(3) Cu and K respectively (4) Na and Cu respectively
3. Which of the following elements do not react with water?
(1) Zinc (2) Aluminium (3) Copper (4) Iron
4. Aqua regia is a mixture of conc HCl and conc HNO3 in the ratio of
(1) 1:3 (2) 1:2 (3) 3:1 (4) 2:1
5. Iron displaces an aqueous solution of metal X. A brown deposit takes place on the iron nail.
Metal X can be
(1) Mg (2) Ag (3) Na (4) Cu
True or False
6. The colour of copper (II) oxide is red.
7. Anodising is done to enhance the process of corrosion of the metal.
8. Aqua regia forms chlorides of Au and Pt and thus is able to dissolve such metals.
9. Dil.HNO3 is an oxidizing agent whereas conc. HNO3 is not.
Subjective questions
10. What will happen if a strip of zinc is immersed in a solution of copper sulphate?
11. Name two metals which reacts with very dilute HNO3 to evolve hydrogen gas.
12. Arrange the following metals in the decreasing order of reactivity. Na, K, Cu, Ag.
13. Amongst the metals-sodium, calcium, aluminium copper and magnesium, name the metal.
(i) Which reacts with water only on boiling.
(ii) Another which does not react even with steam.
14. Name one metal which reacts neither with cold water, nor with hot water, but reacts with
steam to produce hydrogen gas.
15. Which one of the elements out of S, P, Ca and Si forms a basic oxide?
16. Write the chemical equation to represent the reaction taking place between sodium metal and
cold water.

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

17. Write the chemical equation for the reaction of hot aluminium with steam.
18. State which of the following chemical reactions will take place or not, giving suitable reason for
each?
(i) Zn(s) + CuSO4 (aq) ⎯→ ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)
(ii) Fe(s) + ZnSO4(aq) ⎯→ FeSO4(aq) + Zn(s)
(iii) Zn(s) + FeSO4 (aq) ⎯→ ZnSO4 (aq) + Fe(s)
19. A non-metal A is an important constituent of our food and forms two oxides B and C. Oxide B is
toxic whereas C causes global warming.
(i) Identify A, B and C
(ii) To which group of periodic table does A belong?
20. Choose the most appropriate metal for the statements given.
(i) A metal that gets covered with a protective layer of its oxide: Al, Cu, Ag
(ii) A metal which burns in air with golden flame: Zn, K, Na
(iii) A metal which can displace hydrogen from boiling water as well as steam Cu, Mg, Fe.
(iv) A metal that react with air at room temperature: Na, Au, Pt.

[5]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

SOLUTIONS DPP – 02
Answer Key

Question 1 2 3 4 5
Answer 2 1 3 3 4

1. Option (2)
Na is stored in kerosene, due to its high reactivity.
2. Option (1)
The most reactive and least reactive among the following is K and Cu respectively
3. Option (3)
Copper does not react with water even under strong conditions due to less reactivity.
4. Option (3)
Aqua regia is a mixture of conc. HCl and conc. HNO3 in the ratio of 3:1.
5. Option (4)
A brown deposit of Cu takes place on iron nail on displacement reaction.
Cu is less reactive than iron; so iron displaces copper from its aqueous salt solution.
6. False
The colour of copper (II) oxide is black.
7. False
Anodising is done to prevent the process of corrosion of the metal.
8. True
Aqua regia forms chlorides of Au and Pt and thus is able to dissolve such metals.
9. False
Dil. HNO3 and conc HNO3, both are oxidizing agents.
10. The blue colour of copper sulphate fades and the solution turns colourless due to formation of
zinc sulphate. A brownish layer gets deposited on zinc strip. Zn metal being more reactive than
Cu displaces it from its salt solution.
Zn(s)+CuSO4(aq) →ZnSO4(aq)+Cu(s)
11. Manganese and Magnesium are metals which react with very dil. HNO3 to evolve H2 gas while
with conc. nitric acid, NO2 gas is evolved.
12. K>Na>Cu>Ag
13. (i) Mg reacts with water only on boiling.
(ii) Cu does not react even with steam.
14. Iron reacts neither with cold water nor with hot water but reacts with steam to produce H2 gas.
15. metals form basic oxides. Among S, P, Ca and Si, Ca is a metal. So, it will form basic oxide i.e. CaO
whereas S, P, Si are non-metals and would form acidic oxides.
16. 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
Cold water

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

17. When steam is passed over Al, it reacts with steam to form Al(III) oxide and H2 gas i.e.
2Al(s) + 3H2O(g) → Al2O3(s) + H2(g)
18. (i) This reaction will take place as Zn is more reactive than Cu. It will displace less reactive
metal i.e. Cu from its salt solution.
(ii) This reaction would not take place as Fe is less reactive than Zn. It cannot displace Zn from
ZnSO4.
(iii) This reaction will take place as Zn is more reactive than Fe. It will displace less reactive
metal i.e. Fe from its salt solution.
19. (i) A = Carbon(C), B=Carbon Mono Oxide (CO), C=Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
(ii) Group 14
20. (i) Al (ii) Na (iii) Mg (iv) Na

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Metals and Non-metals DPP-03

Multiple choice questions

1. The atomic number of four elements P, Q, R, S are 6, 8, 10 and 12 respectively. The two elements
which can react to form ionic compounds are:
(1) P and S (2) Q and R (3) P and R (4) Q and S
2. Which of the following statements is true about ionic compounds?
(1) Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved in water.
(2) Ionic compounds are not soluble in water.
(3) Ionic compounds are crystalline solids.
(4) Only 1 and 3
3. The solution of one of the following compounds will conduct electricity. This compound is
(1) CCl4 (2) C6H12O6 (3) CaCl2 (4) CH3Cl
4. What is an ionic bond?
(1) Ionic bond is formed by sharing of electrons between two atoms.
(2) It is a bond formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.
(3) Both A and B are correct
(4) None of the above
5. Which of the following are electrovalent compounds?
(1) Copper Sulphate (2) Calcium Nitrate (3) Magnesium Oxide (4) All of the above
6. The reason of bonding in ionic compounds is:
(1) sharing of electrons (2) repulsion force
(3) attractive force (4) none of these
7. Ionic compounds consist of __________ charge ions.
(1) oppositely (2) similar (3) negatively (4) positively
8. The physical state of ionic compounds is ________.
(1) vapour state (2) molten state (3) solid state (4) both (1) and (2)
9. Due to the presence of strong electrostatic forces of attraction between ions, ionic compounds
(1) have high melting and boiling points (2) conduct electricity in solid state
(3) dissolve in kerosene (4) all of the above
10. A compound conduct electricity in the fused state. The compound is made up of
(1) non – metals (2) ions (3) metals (4) alloys

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Fill in the blanks

11. The electronic configuration of calcium ion is _____________.
12. An element X with electronic configuration 2,8,7 and Y with electronic configuration 2,8,2
forms the compound _____________.
True or False
13. The formation of ionic bond takes place when two atoms share electrons mutually.
14. Methane is an ionic compound.
15. Ionic compounds conduct electricity in solid state.
16. Ionic compounds are brittle.
17. An ionic bond is formed between a metal and a non-metal.
18. Sodium chloride conducts electricity in solid state.
Diagram based
19. Draw the labelled electron dot diagram for the formation of magnesium fluoride [MgF2].
Subjective questions
20. Why do ionic compounds have high melting points?
21. What are the ions present in Na2O and MgO?
22. Why ionic compounds do not conduct electricity in solid state?
23. “Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons.” Explain how magnesium oxide is
formed?
24. Give the formula of the stable binary compounds that would be formed by the combination of
following pairs of elements.
(a) Mg and N2 (b) Li and O2 (c) Al and Cl2 (d) K and O2
25. Draw electron dot structure of chloride and oxide ion.

[9]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

SOLUTIONS DPP – 03
Answer Key

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Answer 4 4 3 2 4 3 1 3 1 2

1. Option (4)
Electronic configuration of atom 'Q' is 2,6 and that of atom 'S' is 2,8,2. Therefore S has
2 electrons in its outer most shell, so it will lose 2 electrons to Q, and both will attain inert gas
configuration, to form ionic compound.
2. Option (4)
Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved in water or melted. They are soluble in
water and are also crystalline solids.
3. Option (3)
CaCl2 form ionic bond and so will conduct electricity.
4. Option (2)
Ionic bond is formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.
5. Option (4)
Electrovalent compounds are ionic compounds and all the given options are ionic compound.
6. Option (3)
Ionic compound forms due to attraction between oppositely charged ions.
7. Option (1)
Ionic compounds are formed between cation and anion.
8. Option (3)
Ionic compounds are solid in state.
9. Option (1)
Due to strong force of attraction between cation and anion, ionic compounds have high melting
and boiling point.
10. Option (2)
Ionic compounds conduct electricity in fused state.
11. [Ca+2] 2,8,8
12. YX2
13. False
Ionic bond is formed by complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another atom.
14. False
Methane (CH4) is a covalent compound.
15. False
Ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten or aqueous state.

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

16. True
Ionic compounds are hard and brittle.
17. True
Ionic bond is formed between metal and non-metal.
18. False
NaCl is a ionic compound and conducs electricity in molten or fused state.
19. MgF2
12Mg → 2, 8, 2
9F → 2, 7
Mg → Mg2+ + 2e–
(2, 8, 2) (2, 8)
2F + 2e– → 2F–
(2, 7) (2, 8)
–
F F
2+
Mg Mg
–
F F

20. Ionic compounds are formed due to strong electrostatic force of attraction between negative
ions and positive ions. This attraction force is high and therefore requires more energy for this
strong bond to break. Therefore, ionic compounds have high melting points.
21. Ions present in Na2O are sodium and oxygen ions i.e. Na+ and O–2. Ions present in MgO are
Magnesium [Mg+2] and oxygen [O–2] ions.
22. Ions in an ionic lattice are fixed at their positions and can only oscillate about their mean
positions. Hence, in the solid state, the ions are not free to move. While in molten form, these
ions can freely move in the solution which also allows the passage of electricity.
23. MgO is an ionic compound. Mg has atomic number 12 and electronic configuration 2, 8, 2 while
oxygen with atomic number 8 has electronic configuration 2, 6.
Magnesium by donating 2 valence shell electrons gains stability i.e. noble gas configuration [2,
8]. So Mg donates 2 extra electrons to oxygen atom and in this way they both become stable
and form Magnesium oxide.
Mg → Mg+2 + 2e– ; O + 2e– → O–2
Mg+2 + O–2 → MgO
24. (a) Mg[Mg+2], N[N–3] → Mg3N2
(b) Li[Li+], O2[O–2] → Li2O
(c) Al[Al+3], Cl2[Cl–] → AlCl3
(d) K[K+], O2[O–2] → K2O
25. + 1e–
–1
Cl Cl

+ 2e– –2
O O

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Metals and Non-metals DPP-04

Multiple choice questions

1. The second most abundant metal in the earth’s crust is
(1) oxygen (2) silicon
(3) aluminium (4) iron
2. The most abundant metal in the earth’s crust is
(1) Iron (2) Aluminium
(3) Calcium (4) Sodium
3. Which of the following is the chief ore of aluminium?
(1) Kaolinite (2) Bauxite
(3) Malachite (4) Cinnabar
4. Which of the following is the finest iron ore?
(1) Hematite (2) Magnetite
(3) Siderite (4) Iron Pyrites
5. Which of the following step is known as ore dressing?
(1) crushing (2) concentration of ore
(3) roasting (4) refining of metal
6. Which of the following is not a sulphate ore?
(1) Gypsum (2) Epsom salt
(3) Copper glance (4) Barytes
7. Froth floatation method is applied for __________.
(1) Horn silver (2) Limestone
(3) Cinnabar (4) Fluorspar
8. Big rocks are broken into small pieces and then they are reduced to fine powder. This is known
as _________.
(1) Enrichment of ore (2) Pulverization
(3) reduction of metal oxide (4) Refining

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

9. Mechanism for gravity separation is difference in______ of ore particles.

(1) Densities (2) wetting properties
(3) melting point (4) solubility
10. ______________ is based on difference in melting point of ore and gangue
(1) Levigation (2) Liquation
(3) Froth flotation (4) Magnetic separation
Match the following
11.
Nature of ore Examples
A Halide ore p limestone
B Carbonate ore q galena
C Sulphide ore r magnetite
D Oxide ore s flourspar
12.
Column-I Column-II
(A) Bauxite (p) CuFeS2
(B) Cinnabar (q) HgS
(C) Copper pyrites (r) Fe2O3
(D) Calamine (s) Al2O3.2H2O
(E) Haematite (t) ZnCO3

Fill in the blanks

13. Cinnabar is an ore of_________.
14. _______ ore of iron can be concentrated by using magnetic separation method.
True or False
15. Malachite is an ore of copper with 58 % copper concentration.
16. All ores are minerals, but all minerals are not ores.
17. The impurities contained in ore is called as matrix.
18. Gold and platinum are always found in combined state.
19. Mercuric sulphide is an ore of gold.
20. Minerals are the organic compounds present in plants.
Diagram based
21. Give the names of ores which can be enriched by below given methods.

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Powdered ore

(i)

gangue

ore suspension

Water

Concentrated ore

Froth bubbles
carrying sulphide Compressed
ore particles air

Sulphide ore
particles

Water containing
pine oil
(ii)
Gangue

Crude metal

Heat

(iii) Pure metal

Liquation

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Powered ore

(iv)
Magnetic
roller

Non-magnetic
Leather belt
impurities
Magnetic ore

22. Puzzle

Across
2. Cinnabar is an ore of __________ metal.
3. Magnetic ore of iron.
4. Gold and platinum are __________ metals.
6. Electrostatic force of attraction which holds the oppositely charged ions together.
7. The minerals from which metals can be conveniently and profitably extracted are called
_________.
Down
1. Sulphide ores can be enriched by this method.
5. Colour of flame imparted by sodium.
Subjective Questions
23. Define gangue.
24. What do you mean by pulverization? Explain.
25. What do you mean by enrichment of ore? Write name of different methods used for this.

[15]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

SOLUTIONS DPP – 04
Answer Key

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Answer 4 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 1 2

1. Option (4)
Iron is the second most abundant metals in the earth crust.
2. Option (2)
Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the earth crust.
3. Option (2)
Bauxite is the chief ore of aluminium. The composition of bauxite is Al2O3.2H2O, it’s a mixture of
hydrated iron oxide and hydrated aluminium oxide. Kaolinite is another ore of aluminium, but
its availability is less compared to bauxite and the extraction of aluminium from kaolinite is a
hard process and costs more.
4. Option (2)
Magnetite is the finest iron ore with a very high content of iron up to 72 percent. It has a very
good magnetic property and is valuable in electrical industry. Hematite is another very
important iron ore, but the iron content of hematite is slightly lower than the magnetite.
5. Option (2)
Concentration of ore is known as ore dressing.
6. Option (3)
Copper glance is Cu2S, which is a sulphide ore.
7. Option (3)
Froth floatation method is applied for sulphide ore. Cinnabar is HgS
8. Option (2)
Big rocks are broken into small pieces and then they are reduced to fine powder. This is known
as pulverization.
9. Option (1)
Mechanism for gravity separation is difference in densities of ore particles
10. Option (2)
Liquation is based on difference in melting point of ore and gangue
11. A – s, B-p, C-q, D-r
Nature of ore Examples
A Halide ore s fluorspar
B Carbonate ore p Limestone
C Sulphide ore q galena
D Oxide ore r magnetite

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

12. A – s, B-q, C-P, D-t, E-r

13. Mercury
Cinnabar (HgS) is an ore of Hg
14. Magnetite
Magnetite ore of iron can be concentrated by using magnetic separation method
15. True
Malachite is an ore of copper with 58 % copper concentration.
16. True
All ores are minerals, but all minerals are not ores.
17. True
The impurities contained in ore is called as matrix.
18. False
Gold and platinum are always found in free state
19. False
HgS is an ore of Mercury.
20. False
A mineral is an inorganic substance.
21. (i) Oxide & carbonate ores are concentrated by gravity separation method.
(ii) Suphide ores are concentrated by froth-floatation method.
(iii) Lead, tin, bismuth metals are purified by liquation method.
(iv) Hematite, Magnetite, Siderite, iron pyrites, copper pyrites can be concentrated by magnetic
separation.
22. Across Down
2. Mercury 1. Froth floatation
3. Magnetite 5. Yellow
4. Malleable
6. Electrovalent bond
7. Ores
23. Ores contain large amount of impurities like sand, soil, mud etc. These impurities are called
gangue.
24. Big rocks are broken into small pieces and then they are reduced to fine powder. This is known
as Pulverization.
25. The process of removal of gangue particles from ore to increase metal content in ore, is called
enrichment of ore. Different method used in enrichment of ores are
(i) Hydraulic washing
(ii) Froth floatation
(iii) Magnetic separation
(iv) Chemical separation

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NCERT Basics : Class 10

Metals and Non-metals DPP-05

Multiple choice questions

1. Which of the following ore undergoes roasting?
(1) Cinnabar (2) Copper glance (3) Zinc blende (4) All of these
2. Which of the following metal undergoes self-reduction?
(1) Sodium (2) Calcium (3) Gold (4) Copper
3. Roasting is ___________________.
(1) conversion of carbonate ore into oxide ore in presence of oxygen
(2) conversion of carbonate ore into oxide ore in absence of oxygen
(3) conversion of sulphide ore into oxide ore in presence of oxygen
(4) conversion of sulphide ore into oxide ore in absence of oxygen
4. Calcination is ___________________.
(1) Conversion of carbonate ore into oxide ore in presence of oxygen
(2) Conversion of carbonate ore into oxide ore in absence of oxygen
(3) Conversion of sulphide ore into oxide ore in presence of oxygen
(4) Conversion of sulphide ore into oxide ore in absence of oxygen
5. _______ ore can undergo calcination.
(1) Zinc blende (2) Limestone (3) Horn silver (4) Bauxite
6. _______ metal is used as reducing agent in thermite process.
(1) Sodium (2) Calcium (3) Aluminum (4) Copper
7. Which of the following metals are obtained by aluminothermy process?
(1) Iron (2) Manganese (3) Chromium (4) All of these
8. Electrolytic refining is used to refine ______.
(1) copper (2) silver (3) zinc (4) all of these
9. During electrolytic refining _______ is taken as cathode.
(1) impure metal (2) pure metal
(3) metal salt solution (4) gangue
10. Insoluble impurities that settle down at the bottom of anode during refining is called as_____.
(1) impure metal (2) pure metal (3) metal salt solution (4) anode mud

[18]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

Fill in the Blanks

11. _______ gas is released during the process of roasting.
12. _______ gas is released during process of calcination.
13. During electrorefining of copper, _____ is made electrolyte.
True or False
14. Reduction by Aluminium is also known as smelting.
15. During extraction of metal, ore is converted into its oxide form.
16. Aluminothermy is endothermic in nature.
17. Metals placed in high in reactivity series are extracted by electrolysis.
18. The soluble impurities present in impure metal passes into solution is called as anode mud.
Diagram based
19. Complete the labelling of the below given diagram of electrolytic refining of copper.
Key
e– – + e–
E – + A
F B
C

20. Puzzle

1
2
3
4 5

6
7

Across
2. Solder is an alloy of____and tin.
4. A physical method of enrichment used for sulphide ores.
6. _____is a mixture Fe2O3 and Fe(OH)3.
7. An alloy of___is known as amalgam.
8. Reduction by carbon.
Down
1. A series of various processes involved in the extraction of metals followed by refining.
3. A homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or non-metal.
5. Conversion of sulphide ores into oxide ores in presence of oxygen.

[19]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

SOLUTIONS DPP – 05
Answer Key

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Answer 4 4 3 2 2 3 4 4 2 4

1. Option (4)
All sulphide ores undergo roasting.
2. Option (4)
Cu2S combines with Cu2O and gets reduced in Cu, is known as self-reduction.
3. Option (3)
Roasting is conversion of sulphide ore into oxide ore in presence of oxygen
4. Option (2)
Calcination is conversion of carbonate ore into oxide ore in absence of oxygen
5. Option (2)
Lime stone CaCO3 undergo calcination.
6. Option (3)
Aluminium metal is used as reducing agent in thermite process
7. Option (4)
Fe, Mn, Cr metals are obtained by aluminothermy process.
8. Option (4)
Electrolytic refining is used to refine copper, gold, silver, zinc.
9. Option (2)
During electrolytic refining pure metal is taken as cathode
10. Option (4)
Insoluble impurities that settle down at the bottom of anode during refining is called as anode
mud.
11. SO2 gas
SO2 gas is released during process of roasting, Because sulphide ores are strongly heated in
presence of oxygen.
12. CO2 gas
CO2 gas is released during process of calcination. Carbonate ores release CO2 gas in absence of
oxygen gas.
13. Acidified copper sulphate
During electrorefining of copper, acidified copper sulphate is used as electrolyte

[20]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

14. False
Reduction by Aluminum is known as aluminothermy. In smelting, carbon or CO is used as
reducing agent.
15. True
During extraction of metal, ore is converted into its oxide form.
16. False
Aluminothermy is exothermic in nature.
17. True
Metals placed in high in reactivity series are extracted by electrolysis. They can’t be extracted
easily by reducing like other less reactive metals.
18. False
The insoluble impurities present at impure metal passes into solution is called as anode mud.
19. A – Anode
B – Impure copper electrode
C – Acidified CuSO4(aq)
D – Anode mud
E – Pure copper electrode
F – Tank or apparatus
20. Across Down
2. Lead 1. Metallurgy
4. Froth floatation 3. Alloy
6. Rust 5. Roasting
7. Mercury
8. Smelting

[21]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

Metals and Non-metals DPP-06

Multiple choice questions

1. Galvanisation is a method of protecting iron from rusting by coating with a thin layer of
(1) Gallium (2) Aluminium (3) Zinc (4) Silver
2. Chemically rust is:
(1) Hydrated ferrous oxide (2) Hydrated ferric oxide
(3) Only ferric oxide (4) none of these
3. Alloys are homogeneous mixtures of a metal with a metal or non-metal. Which among the
following alloys contain non-metals as one of its constituents?
(1) Brass (2) Bronze (3) Amalgam (4) Steel
4. Stainless steel is very useful material for our life. In stainless steel, iron is mixed with.
(1) Ni and Cr (2) Cu and Cr (3) Ni and Cu (4) Cu and Au
5. Corrosion can be prevented by
(1) alloying (2) tinning (3) galvanizing (4) all of the above
6. Amalgam is an alloy of
(1) copper and tin (2) mercury (3) lead and tin (4) copper and zinc
Match the following
7.
Alloy Metal
A Duralumin p Al + Cu
B solder q Cu+ Zn
C Brass r Cu + Sn
D Bronze s Pb+ Sn
(1) A-p, B-s, C-q, D-r (2) A-p, B-s, C-r, D-q (3) A-s, B-p, C-q, D-r (4) A-p, B-q, C-s, D-r
True or False
8. Electroplating is a method to protect food from rancidity.
9. Rusting of iron can take place without the presence of water.
Subjective questions
10. Give the chemical reaction for rusting of copper metal.
11. Draw a labelled diagram of galvanisation method for protecting a metal from rusting.
12. Define corrosion of metals with examples.
13. What is thermite mixture also give the chemical reaction.
14. Write name of different methods used in purification of metals.
15. What are alloys. Write examples of alloys.

[22]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

SOLUTIONS DPP – 06
Answer Key

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Answer 3 2 4 1 4 2 1

1. Option (3)
Layer of zinc if applied on metal to prevent corrosion. This process is known as galvanisation.
2. Option (2)
The formula of rust is Fe2O3. XH2O and its chemical name is hydrated ferric oxide.
3. Option (4)
Steel contains iron, carbon, nickel and chromium.
4. Option (1)
Stainless steel contains iron, nickel and chromium.
5. Option (4)
Painting, electroplating, alloying, tinning, galvanization can be used to prevent metals from
getting corroded.
6. Option (2)
A mixture of metals with mercury is known as amalgam.
7. Option (1)
Alloy Metal
A Duralumin p Al + Cu
B solder s Pb+ Sn
C Brass q Cu+ Zn
D Bronze r Cu + Sn
8. False
Electroplating is a method which is used to prevent metals from corrosion.
9. False
For rusting of iron, presence of air as well as water is required.
10. 2Cu + H2O + CO2 + O2 ⎯→ Cu(OH)2 + CuCO3
11. Galvanisation diagram

Fe

Electroplating of Zinc
on Iron metal

[23]
NCERT Basics : Class 10

12. The process in which metals are eaten up gradually by the action of air, moisture or a chemical
(such as an acid) on their surface, is known as corrosion of metals.
Example: During the corrosion of iron, iron metal is oxidised by the oxygen of air in the
presence of water (moisture) to form hydrated iron oxide, called rust.
4Fe + 3O2 + 2x.H2O ⎯→ 2Fe2O3.xH2O
13. Thermite mixture is the mixture of Aluminium metal and iron oxide. In this reaction Aluminium
acts as a reductant and iron metal gets freed.
Fe2O3 + 2Al ⎯→ 2Fe + Al2O3 + heat
14. Methods used for purification of metals are:
(i) Distillation (ii) Liquation (iii) Oxidation (iv) Electro-refining
15. Alloys are homogeneous mixtures of a metal with a metal or non-metal.
Examples are
(1) Brass (2) Bronze (3) Amalgam (4) Steel

[24]
 HAND WRITTEN SOLUTIONS

CLASS X CHEMISTRY

METALS AND NON-METALS

Your Hard Work Leads to Strong Foundation

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