NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 3 - Metals and Non-metals

At Orchids International School, we understand how tough it can get for students to study subjects like Chemistry. Class 10 Science's Chapter 3, "Metals and Non-metals," absolutely sets the prologue to the curriculum deep into properties, reactions, and usages for various elements. Our NCERT solutions for class 10 science chapter 3 make these concepts rather simplistic and hence more digestible to understand. One can also refer to class 10 science chapter 3 PDF for an in-depth approach. It can be used anywhere at any time. We, at Orchids International School, work on making these learning experiences engaging and accessible. We work to ensure every student has the resources they need to excel.

Download PDF For NCERT Solutions for Science Metals and Non-metals

The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 3 - Metals and Non-metals are tailored to help the students master the concepts that are key to success in their classrooms. The solutions given in the PDF are developed by experts and correlate with the CBSE syllabus of 2023-2024. These solutions provide thorough explanations with a step-by-step approach to solving problems. Students can easily get a hold of the subject and learn the basics with a deeper understanding. Additionally, they can practice better, be confident, and perform well in their examinations with the support of this PDF.

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Access Answers to NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 3 - Metals and Non-metals

Students can access the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 3 - Metals and Non-metals. Curated by experts according to the CBSE syllabus for 2023–2024, these step-by-step solutions make Science much easier to understand and learn for the students. These solutions can be used in practice by students to attain skills in solving problems, reinforce important learning objectives, and be well-prepared for tests.

Intext Questions

Question 1 :

Why sodium is kept immersed in kerosene oil?

 

Answer :

Sodium is a very reactive metal. It reacts with the air and catches fire as soon as it comes in contact with it. Hence, to avoid such accidents sodium is kept immersed in kerosene oil.


Question 2 :

What would you observe when zinc is added to a solution of iron (II) sulphate? Write the chemical reaction that takes place.

 

Answer :

 According to the reactivity series we know zinc is more reactive than iron. So, when zinc comes in contact with iron sulphate solution it replaces iron and forms zinc sulphate. And the colour of solutions turns brown from green.

Zn(s)+FeSO4(aq)→ZnSO4(aq)+Fe(s)


Question 3 :

 Why do ionic compounds have high melting points?

 

Answer :

Ionic compounds have high electrostatic force between the molecules due to which they are very closely packed and rigid. This tight packing results in ionic compounds having high melting points.

 


Question 4 :

Name two metals which are found in nature in the free state.

 

Answer :

Silver and Gold are found in free state as their reactivity potential is very low.

For example: Silver(Ag), Gold (Au), and Platinum(Pt).


Question 5 :

Which metals do not corrode easily?

 

Answer :

Metals with less reactivity such as silver, platinum and gold.


Question 6 :

What are alloys?

 

Answer :

An alloy is a homogenous mixture of two metals or metal and non-metals. They are formed by melting the metals and mixing them and then solidifying them into alloy.

Example: Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.


Question 7 :

Give an example of a metal which

i. is a liquid at room temperature. 

ii. can be easily cut with a knife. 

iii. is the best conductor of heat. 

iv. is a poor conductor of heat.



 

Answer :

i.  Mercury

ii. Potassium

iii. Copper and Silver

iv.Mercury.

 


Question 8 :

Explain the meanings of malleable and ductile.

 

Answer :

Malleable: Property of a metal due to which it can be beaten into thin sheets is known as malleability and the metal is known to be malleable. 

Ductile: Property of a metal due to which it can be beaten into thin pipes/wire is known as ductility and the metal is known to be ductile.


Question 9 :

Write equations for the reactions of

i. iron with steam 

ii. calcium and potassium with water



 

 

Answer :

i.3Fe(s)+4H2O(g)→Fe3O4(s)+4H2( g)

3Fe(s)+4H2O(g)→Fe3O4(s)+4H2( g)

ii.Ca(s)+2H2O(l)→Ca(OH)2(aq)+H2( g)

2 K( s)+2H2O(l)→2KOH(aq)+H2( g)+ heat


Question 10 :

Samples of four metals A, B, C and D were taken and added to the following solution one by one. The results obtained have been tabulated as follows:

Metals

Iron (II) Sulphate

Copper (II) Sulphate

Zinc Sulphate

Silver Nitrate

A

No Reaction

Displacement

   

B

Displacement

 

No Reaction

 

C

No Reaction

No Reaction

No Reaction

 

D

No Reaction

No Reaction

No Reaction

No Reaction


Use the Table above to answer the following questions about metals A, B, C and D. 

According to the activity series the most reactive metal displaces the least reactive metal. according to the given table we can say that: 

A+FeSO4→ No reaction 

A+CuSO4→ Single Displacement 

B is more reactive than iron but less reactive than zinc.

B+FeSO4→ Single Displacement 

B+ZnSO4→ No reaction 

C is less reactive than iron, copper and zinc but more reactive with silver

C+FeSO4→ No reaction 

C+CuSO4→ No reaction 

C+ZnSO4→ No reaction 

C+AgNO3→ Single Displacement 

D is less reactive than iron, copper,zinc, and silver

D+FeSO4→ No reaction 

D+CuSO4→ No reaction 

D+ZnSO4→ No reaction 

D+AgNO3→ No Reaction


i. Which is the most reactive metal?

ii. What would you observe if B is added to a solution of copper (II) sulphate? 

iii. Arrange the metals A, B, C and D in the order of decreasing reactivity.

 

Answer :

i. B is the most reactive metal. 

  B+FeSO4→Single Displacement

ii. When B is added to a solution of copper (II) sulphate then it shows the single displacement because B is more reactive than iron. 

B+CuSO4→Single Displacement

iii.B>A>C>D

    B>A>C>D

 


Question 11 :

Which gas is produced when dilute hydrochloric acid is added to a reactive metal? Write the chemical reaction when iron reacts with dilute

H2SO4.

 

Answer :

ron is more reactive than hydrogen according to the reactivity series. So, when iron comes in contact with dilute H2SO4 it replaces hydrogen to form iron sulphate and in the reaction it releases hydrogen gas.

Fe(s)+H2SO4(aq)→FeSO4(aq)+H2(g)


Question 12 :

Answer the following:

i. Write the electron-dot structures for sodium, oxygen and magnesium. 

ii. Show the formation of Na2Oand MgO by the transfer of electrons. 

iii. What are the ions present in these compounds?

 

Answer :

i. Sodium, oxygen and magnesium atomic numbers are 11, 8 and 12. The electron dot structures are below:

Sodium (2,8,1) = NaX

Oxygen (2,6) =

structure of oxygen

Magnesium (2,8,2) = MgXX

ii. Both of the compounds will form an ionic bond.



Formation of ions

iii. In the

Na2O, the ions 2 Na+ and O2- and in MgO are Mg2+ and O2- 

 


Question 13 :

Define the following terms.

i. Minerals: 

ii. Ore:

iii. Gangue:

 

Answer :

i. The minerals which are present as a mixture of metallic compounds and extractable impurities are known as ores and the compound of a metal found in nature is called mineral.

ii. The minerals from which the metals can be conveniently and economically extracted are known as ores.

iii. The ore contains some impurities like sand, clay and rocky material. These impurities are called gangue or matrix. Gangue is removed before the metallurgical process starts.


Question 14 :

What chemical process is used for obtaining a metal from its oxide?

 

Answer :

More reactive metals are reduced by the electrolysis process. moderate reactive metals can be reduced by either carbon or carbon monoxide. Metal oxides are reduced by using suitable reducing agents such as carbon or by highly reactive metals to displace the metals from their oxides. For example, zinc oxide is reduced to metallic zinc by heating with carbon.

ZnO(s)+C(s)⟶ΔZn(s)+CO(g) or ZnO+CO→Zn+CO2

Thermite process: Chromium oxides are reduced to chromium by treating it with aluminium powder. In this case, aluminium displaces manganese from its oxide.

Cr2O3+2Al→Al2O3+2Cr+heat


Question 15 :

Metallic oxides of zinc, magnesium and copper were heated with the following metals.

Metals

Zinc

Magnesium

Copper

Zinc Oxide

-

-

-

Magnesium Oxide

-

-

-

Copper Oxide

-

-

-


In which cases will you find displacement reactions taking place?

 

Answer :

Metals

Zinc

Magnesium

Copper

Zinc Oxide

No reaction

Displacement

No reaction

Magnesium Oxide

No reaction

No reaction

No reaction

Copper Oxide

Displacement

Displacement

No reaction

 


Exercise Questions

Question 1 :

 What are amphoteric oxides? Give two examples of amphoteric oxides.

 

Answer :

 Oxides which can react with both acid and base is known as amphoteric oxide.

Example: Zinc oxide(ZnO) and Aluminum oxide(Al2O3)


Question 2 :

What type of oxides is formed when nonmetals combine with oxygen?

Answer :

Non-metals combine with oxygen and form acidic oxides which when combined with water turns into acidic solution.


Question 3 :

 Which of the following pairs will give displacement reactions? 

(a)NaCl solution and copper metal            

(b)MgCl2 solution and aluminium metal 

(c)FeSO4 solution and silver metal               

(d)AgNO3 solution and copper metal.

 

Answer :

 (d) AgNO3 solution and copper


Question 4 :

Which of the following methods is suitable for preventing an iron frying pan from rusting? 

(a) Applying grease

(b) Applying paint 

(c) Applying a coating of zinc

(d) all of the above.

 

Answer :

(c) Applying a coating of zinc


Question 5 :

An element reacts with oxygen to give a compound with a high melting point. This compound is also soluble in water. The element is likely to be 

(a) calcium

(b) carbon 

(c) silicon

(d) iron

 

Answer :

(a) calcium


Question 6 :

 Food cans are coated with tin and not with zinc because 

(a) zinc is costlier than tin.

(b) zinc has a higher melting point than tin. 

(c) zinc is more reactive than tin.

(d) zinc is less reactive than tin.

 

Answer :

(c) zinc is more reactive than tin.


Question 7 :

You are given a hammer, battery, bulb, wires and a switch. 

(a) How could you use them to distinguish between samples of metals and non-metals?

(b) Assess the usefulness of these tests in distinguishing between metals and nonmetals.

 

Answer :

(a)  Metals are naturally malleable. We can beat the given sample with the help of a hammer. If it turns into thin sheets, it is metal; otherwise, it is nonmetal.

Metals carry electricity. when we use a battery, a lamp, wires, and a switch to create a circuit. If the bulb glows, it indicates that the sample is metallic due to liberated electrons. If the bulb does not light up, this indicates that the sample is non-metallic.

(b) The physical properties of metals and non-metals are represented by these tests. We can easily distinguish between them based on their physical characteristics.


Question 8 :

Name two metals which will displace hydrogen from dilute acids, and two metals which will not.

 

Answer :

More reactive metals will displace hydrogen from its dilute acids. for example : Iron and Zinc.

Fe+2HCl→FeCl2+H2

Zn+2HCl→ZnCl2+H2

Least reactive metals will not displace hydrogen from its dilute acids. for example : copper and silver

Cu+HCl→ No Reaction

Ag+HCl→ No Reaction

 


Question 9 :

In the electrolytic refining of a metal M, what would you take as the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte?

Answer :

In the electrolytic refining of a metal M: 

i. Cathode → Pure metal M 

ii. Anode → Impure metal M 

ii. Electrolyte → Salt Solution of the metal M


Question 10 :

 Pratyush took sulphur powder on a spatula and heated it. He collected the gas evolved by inverting a test tube over it, as shown in figure below.

 

Collection of gas

(a) What will be the action of gas on 

i. dry litmus paper? 

ii. moist litmus paper?

(b) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction taking place.

 

Answer :

(a) i. no reaction with dry litmus paper.

ii.Moist blue litmus will turn red due to the formation of sulphur dioxide. Sulphur dioxide is acidic oxide when it will react with water converts into sulphurous acid.

(b)


Question 11 :

State two ways to prevent the rusting of iron.

 

Answer :

The process of degrading metals in presence of air and water is known as rusting. Two ways in which rusting can be prevented are as follows:

  1. Painting: It prevents iron from coming in direct contact with air and water.

  2. Galvanization: In this process iron is coated with a layer of zinc.

 


Question 12 :

 Give reasons

(a) Platinum, gold and silver are used to make jewelers. 

(b) Sodium, potassium and lithium are stored under oil. 

(c) Aluminium is a highly reactive metal, yet it is used to make utensils for cooking.

(d) Carbonate and sulphide ores are usually converted into oxides during the process of extraction.

 

Answer :

(a) These metals are very less reactive and are lustrous which makes them suitable for making jewelry.

(b )They are highly reactive metals and catch fire as soon as it comes in contact with the air. Hence, to avoid any accidents these metals are kept under oil.

 

(c) Aluminium is highly reactive and they react with oxygen present in atmosphere to form a stable compound Al2O3. Along with this, they are very good conductor of heat. Therefore, aluminium is used in making utensils for cooking.

(d) Extracting metals from their oxides are easier as compared to their carbonate and sulphides. Therefore, ores are usually converted into oxides by the process of roasting and calcination.


Question 13 :

You must have seen tarnished copper vessels being cleaned with lemon or tamarind juice. Explain why these sour substances are effective in cleaning the vessels.

 

Answer :

Copper forms basic copper carbonate(CuCO3.Cu(OH)2) when it combines with damp carbon dioxide in the air. It turns green, and the copper vase loses its gleaming brown finish. The presence of citric acid in the lemon or tamarind neutralizes the basic copper carbonate and dissolves the layer.


Question 14 :

Differentiate between metals and non-metals.

 

Answer :

 Differences between metals and non-metals are as follows:

METALS

NON-METALS

Metals are electropositive.

Non-metals are electronegative. 

They react with water to form oxides and hydroxides. Some metals react with cold water, some with hot water, and some with steam. 

2Na+2H2O→2NaOH+H2↑

They do not react with water. 

They react with oxygen to form basic oxides

4Na+O2→2Na2O

These have ionic bonds.

They react with oxygen to form acidic or neutral oxides.

C+O2→CO2

These have covalent bonds

They react with dilute acids to form a salt and evolve hydrogen gas. However, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, Hg do not react.

2Na+2HCl→2NaCl+H2↑. 

They do not react with dilute acids. These are not capable of replacing hydrogen. 

They react with the salt solution of metals. Depending on their reactivity, displacement reaction can occur

CuSO4+Zn→ZnSO4+Cu. 

These react with the salt solution of non-metals 

They act as reducing agents.

Na→Na++e−

These act as oxidizing agents.

Cl2+2e−→2Cl−

 


Question 15 :

A man went door to door posing as a goldsmith. He promised to bring back the glitter of old and dull gold ornaments. An unsuspecting lady gave a set of gold bangles to him which he dipped in a particular solution. The bangles sparkled like new but their weight was reduced drastically. The lady was upset but after a futile argument the man beat a hasty retreat. Can you play the detective to find out the nature of the solution he had used?

 

Answer :

The man is using Aqua Regia which is 3 parts of

HCL and 1 part of HNO3 solution. Gold is the least reactive metal but when we put it in aqua regia the upper most layer gets dissolved in the solution and the inner layer comes out due to which it weighs less than before but is glitterier.


Question 16 :

Give reasons why copper is used to make hot water tanks and not steel (an alloy of iron).

 

Answer :

 In the reactivity reaction copper comes below hydrogen and hence, it will not react with the water present/stored. On the other hand, steel which is an alloy of iron will react with the steam and can get corroded easily.


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