Science Notes for Class 10 Metals And-Non-Metals

Metals and Non-metals

Welcome to the chapter on Metals and Non-metals for Class 10. In this chapter, you will learn about the physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals, their uses, and how they react with other substances. By the end of this chapter, you will be able to differentiate between metals and non-metals and understand their importance in daily life and industry.

Key Concepts

Metals: Elements that are generally hard, shiny, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity.
Non-metals: Elements that are generally soft, dull, brittle, and poor conductors of heat and electricity.
Physical Properties: Properties that can be observed without changing the substance.
Chemical Properties: Properties that describe how a substance reacts with other substances.

Physical Properties of Metals

Metals are usually solid at room temperature (except mercury).
They have a shiny appearance (lustre).
They are malleable (can be hammered into sheets).
They are ductile (can be drawn into wires).
They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
They are sonorous (make a ringing sound when struck).

Physical Properties of Non-metals

Non-metals can be solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature.
They are not lustrous (dull in appearance).
They are brittle (break easily if solid).
They are not malleable or ductile.
They are poor conductors of heat and electricity (except graphite).
They are not sonorous.

Chemical Properties of Metals

Metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides (usually basic in nature).
Metals react with water to form metal hydroxides and hydrogen gas (not all metals react with water).
Metals react with acids to produce salt and hydrogen gas.
Metals displace less reactive metals from their compounds in solutions (displacement reactions).

Chemical Properties of Non-metals

Non-metals react with oxygen to form non-metal oxides (usually acidic in nature).
Non-metals do not react with water in general.
Non-metals do not react with dilute acids.
Non-metals can react with hydrogen to form covalent compounds.

Uses of Metals

Iron is used to make machinery, vehicles, and buildings.
Copper is used in electrical wires.
Aluminium is used in making utensils, aeroplanes, and cans.
Gold and silver are used in jewellery.
Zinc is used for galvanizing iron to prevent rusting.

Uses of Non-metals

Oxygen is essential for breathing and burning.
Nitrogen is used in fertilizers and to fill food packets.
Chlorine is used to disinfect water.
Sulphur is used in making medicines and fireworks.
Carbon (in the form of graphite) is used in pencils.

Fun Activity: Identify and Classify

Look around your home and make a list of things made of metals and things made of non-metals. Try to classify them!

Summary

Metals are generally shiny, hard, malleable, ductile, and good conductors.
Non-metals are generally dull, brittle, and poor conductors.
Metals and non-metals have different physical and chemical properties.
Both are important in our daily life and industry.

Practice Questions

Name two metals and two non-metals.
List two physical properties of metals.
What happens when a metal reacts with acid?
Why is graphite used in pencils?
Give one use of aluminium and one use of oxygen.

Challenge Yourself

Explain why metals are used for making electrical wires but not non-metals.
Write a short note on the importance of non-metals in our daily life.

Did You Know?

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature!
Diamond, a form of carbon (a non-metal), is the hardest natural substance on Earth.

Glossary

Malleable: Can be hammered into thin sheets.
Ductile: Can be drawn into wires.
Lustre: Shiny appearance.
Brittle: Breaks easily.
Sonorous: Makes a ringing sound when struck.

Answers to Practice Questions

Metals: Iron, copper. Non-metals: Oxygen, sulphur.
Shiny (lustrous), good conductor of electricity (any two).
It produces salt and hydrogen gas.
Because it is soft and leaves a mark on paper.
Aluminium: making utensils; Oxygen: breathing (any correct use).

Metals and non-metals are everywhere! Learn their properties and uses to understand the world around you.

Science Class 10 - Metals And-Non-Metals Notes