Metals and Non-Metals Class 10th Notes
Metals and Non-Metals: Elements are broadly classified as metals and non-metals based on their physical and chemical properties. Metals are usually hard, shiny, and good conductors of heat and electricity. Non-metals are dull and poor conductors. Examples of metals are iron, copper, and aluminium, while carbon, sulphur, and oxygen are non-metals.
Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals
Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals are those which we can observe, touch, or measure without changing the substance.
| Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals | ||
| Property | Metals | Non-Metals |
| Lustre (Shine) | Have a shining surface called metallic lustre. | Non-lustrous (do not shine). |
| Hardness | Generally hard and strong. | Generally soft and weak. |
| Malleability | It can be beaten into thin sheets. | Cannot be beaten into sheets (non-malleable). |
| Ductility | It can be drawn into thin wires. 1g of gold can make a 2 km-long wire. | Cannot be drawn into wires (non-ductile). |
| Conductivity | Good conductors of heat and electricity. The best ones are silver, copper, and gold. | Poor conductors of heat and electricity. |
| Melting Point | Have high melting points. | Have low melting points. |
| Sound (Sonorous) | produces a ringing sound when struck. | Do not produce sound (non-sonorous). |
| Physical State | All are solids at room temperature except mercury, which is a liquid metal. | May be solids (carbon, sulphur), liquids (bromine), or gases (oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine). |
Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals
Chemical properties tell us how substances react with other materials like air, water, and acids.
| Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals | ||
| Property | Metals | Non-Metals |
| Reaction with Oxygen | Metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides, which are basic in nature. Example: 4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O | Non-metals react with oxygen to form non-metal oxides, which are acidic in nature. Example: C + O₂ → CO₂ |
| Reaction with Water | Some metals react with water to produce metal hydroxides and hydrogen gas. Example: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂ | Most non-metals do not react with water. |
| Reaction with Acids | Metals react with acids to form salt and hydrogen gas. Example: Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂ | Non-metals generally do not react with acids. |
| Reaction with Bases | Metals usually do not react with bases. | Some non-metals react with bases to form salts. Example: Cl₂ + NaOH → NaCl + NaClO + H₂O |
| Reaction with Other Elements | Metals react with non-metals to form ionic compounds (by giving and taking electrons). | Non-metals react with other non-metals to form covalent compounds (by sharing electrons). |
