NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 3 Notes Metals And Non-Metals: Download PDF Notes

Metals and non-metals play a very important part in daily life. They are fundamental elements which make up almost everything around us, from the air we breathe to the long buildings. Have you ever wondered why gold shines so much while other elements are dull, how the steel used in your cycle is so strong, and why oxygen is essential for daily life? The answer to all these questions lies in Metals and Non-metals. Metals are everywhere around us from the iron used in construction to the aluminium foil used to wrap food while Non-metals like oxygen and carbon are essential for breathing and fuel.

Class 10 Science Metals and Non Metals play a very important role in CBSE board and competitive exams like JEE, NEET, etc. It becomes difficult for students to learn all the concepts in one reading from the NCERT book So, our NCERT notes are revision notes on the Class 10 NCERT chapter: metal and non-metal. Careers360 provides CBSE Class 10 notes for other subjects as well. The Class 10 metal and non-metal revision notes are provided to revise all the important concepts given in Metals and non-metal. Students can utilise the Class 10 science chapter 3 CBSE notes for revision of major concepts while preparing for the CBSE Class 10 exam. CBSE notes for Class 10 are helpful for CBSE board exam preparation.

Class 10 Science Chapter 3 Notes will help students clear doubts that arise during solving problems and create a clear overview of the concept. The NCERT notes of Class 10 science Metals and Non-Metals provided in this article are based on the Class 10 CBSE Science syllabus. NCERT notes are going to help students ace their exams and score well in them. The notes provided in this article are reliable and can be followed by the students for better understanding and doubt clearance.

Metals and Non-metals Class 10 Notes

The NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 3 notes give you a basic idea of the key features of metals and non-metals. The topics covered in NCERT Class 10 Science notes are:

Also, students can refer to

CBSE Class 10 Chapter 3 Notes, Metals and Non-metals

Definition of metals: These are the elements that conduct heat and electricity.

Non-metals: These are the elements that do not conduct heat or electricity.

Elements can be classified on the basis of the properties of metals and non-metals.

Physical Properties

Metals:

• Lustre: Metals are shining in nature.

• Hardness: hard in nature. But an exception exists for Na, Li, and K; they are soft and able to be cut with a knife.

• State: Metals exist in a solid state except in the case of mercury, which is liquid at room temperature.

• Malleability: the property of metal through which we can make sheets of metal with the use of a hammer. The most malleable metals are gold and silver.

• Ductility: The property of metal through which we can make wire.

• Conductivity and heating: Metals are conductive in nature and have a good capacity for heating.

For example, copper and silver are the best conductors, whereas lead and mercury are the worst conductors.

• Density: The density of metals is high, as are their melting points.

• Sonorous: Metals are sound-producing in nature when they strike a hard surface.

• Oxides: The oxides of metals are basic in nature.

Non-Metals

• Lustre: Non-metals are not shining in nature, except in the case of iodine.

• Hardness: Soft in nature. But an exception exists for a diamond, which is hardest among all

• State: Metals exists in a solid or gaseous state, except in the case of bromine, which is liquid at room temperature.

• Malleability: They are non-malleable in nature.

• Ductility: They are also non-ductile in nature, as we won’t be able to make wire from non-metals.

• Conductivity and heating: Non-metals are insulators, as they don’t have a good capacity of heating as well. Exception in case of Graphite.

• Density: The densities of non-metals are low, as are their melting points.

• Sonorous: They do not produce any sound when strike the surface.

• Oxides: The oxides of non-metals are acidic in nature.

Chemical Properties of Metals

What happens when metals are burnt in Air?

Points to remember:

• The reaction of metals, especially with oxygen, depends on the reactivity of the metal, as mentioned in the list of reactivity orders.

• Sodium and potassium are kept inside kerosene as they catch fire when it is exposed to the air and react vigorously with it.

• For further oxidation of magnesium, aluminium, and zinc, they are covered with a thin layer of oxide so that they can be prevented from further oxidation.

• Iron filings burn vigorously in nature, but Fe does not.

• The coating is done on copper with black copper oxide, but still, it does not burn.

• The reaction of oxygen can not proceed with silver and gold.

The reaction of metals with amphoteric oxides: These are the oxides that react with both acids and bases to produce salts and water and are termed amphoteric oxides.

What happens when Metals react with Water?

• Metal and water react with each other to form metal oxide and hydrogen gas.

• Metal oxide reacts with water to produce metal hydroxide.

What happens when Metals react with Acids?

In the case of copper, silver, and mercury, they do not react with dilute acids.

How do Metals react with Solutions of other Metal Salts?

Let us suppose that metal A reacts with another salt solution B to produce a salt solution of metal A and metal B.

The displacement of elements depends upon the reactivity series of metals; the more reactive the metal, the more it displaces the less reactive one.

How do metals and non-metals react?

When an electron comes out of the shell, it forms the cation, which is a property of metal elements; on the other hand, when an electron is gained by a valence shell, it forms the anion, which is a property of the non-metal element.

Properties of Ionic Compounds:

The formation of an ionic compound is done by the transfer of electrons. Electrons from metals transfer to non-metals and are called ionic compounds, also known as electrovalent compounds.

Properties:

• Physical nature of ionic compounds: They are brittle, solid, and hard compounds.

• Melting and boiling points: Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points.

• Solubility: Ionic compounds are insoluble in a solution of kerosene, petrol, etc., whereas they are soluble in water.

• The conductivity of ionic compounds: ionic compounds are conductive in the molten state but not in the solid state.

Occurrence of Metals

• Minerals: Elements or compounds that are found in nature or in the earth’s crust naturally are termed minerals.

• Ores: Those minerals that contain a very high percentage of a particular metal, and those metals that can also be extracted from that mineral, are called ores.

Reactivity series

The metals present at the top in the reactive series are more reactive. Going down, the reactivity decreases.

Extracting Mineral from Ores

Minerals can be extracted from ores using the three major steps involved, which are discussed below.

Step 1: Enrichment

Step 2: Extraction

Step 3: Refining

The other important steps included in the extraction of metals from ores.

Important terms to remember

• Gangue: The impurities which are present on ores when we extract them, such as soil, sand, etc.

• Roasting: In the presence of an excess amount of air, the sulphur dioxide ores are converted to oxides, the process is known as Roasting. The process is done in high-temperature range.

• Calcination: In a limited amount of air, the carbonate ores are converted to oxides, the process is known as Calcination. The process is done in low-temperature range.

• Reduction: With the help of reducing agent like carbon, the metal oxides are converted to their corresponding metals, process is known as Reduction.

Refining of Metals

Electrolytic refining is the most extensively used method for refining.

This method is used for impure metals and refining metals.

On Anode: Impure Copper

On Cathode: Strip of pure Copper

On electrolyte: Solution of acidified Copper sulphate.

When current passes through the electrolyte, the metal that is impure on the anode will dissolve in the electrolyte.

At the cathode, the pure metal will be deposited of an equivalent amount.

The anode mud is settled down in the tank; those are insoluble impurities.

Corrosion

Corrosion can be defined as when the surface of metals is exposed to mist air for a longer period of time, then that surface is corroded, and the phenomenon is termed corrosion.

Examples: When silver is exposed to air, it reacts with the air to become black.

When iron is exposed to air, it reacts with air to become brown in colour and look

flaky.

Prevention: The rusting can be treated and prevented by painting, galvanising, oiling and

Greasing.

Galvanisation: By coating steel and iron with a thin layer of zinc, the method is termed Galvanisation.

Most Important Questions of Class 10 Chapter 3

Question 1:

Which of the following oxide(s) of iron would be obtained on prolonged reaction of iron with steam?

(a) $\text { FeO }$

(b) $\mathrm{Fe}_2 \mathrm{O}_3$

(c)$\mathrm{Fe}_3 \mathrm{O}_4$

(d)$\mathrm{Fe}_2 \mathrm{O}_3$ and $\mathrm{Fe}_3 \mathrm{O}_4$

Answer 1: option (c)

Iron does not react directly with cold or hot water. It forms a metal oxide when steam is passed over it. When red hot iron reacts with steam it forms iron(II, III) oxide and hydrogen gas is liberated. The reaction is reversible and is shown as follows:

3Fe(s)+4$\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$→$\mathrm{Fe}_3 \mathrm{O}_4$(s)+4$\mathrm{H}_2$(g)

Question 2:

The composition of aqua-regia is?

(a) Dil. $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{Cl}$: Conc. $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{NO}_3$ 3 : 1

(b) Conc.$\mathrm{H}\mathrm{Cl}$ : Dil. $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{NO}_3$ 3 : 1

(c) Conc. $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{Cl}$ : Conc.$\mathrm{H}\mathrm{NO}_3$ 3 : 1

(d) Dil.$\mathrm{H}\mathrm{Cl}$ : Dil.$\mathrm{H}\mathrm{NO}_3$ 3 : 1

Answer: (c)

Aqua regia is a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, in a molar ratio of 1:3.

So, Conc.$\mathrm{H}\mathrm{Cl}$ and conc. $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{NO}_3$ in ratio 3 : 1 forms aqua-regia.

Aqua-regia is a highly corrosive, yellow-orange fuming liquid. It can dissolve all metals (even gold and platinum).

Approach To Solve Class 10 Science Chapter 3 Questions

1. Understand The Basics

• Metals are charcterised as Shiny, malleable, ductile, good conductors of heat & electricity.

• Non-Metals are dull, brittle, poor conductors.

• Metalloids have the properties intermediate between metals and non-metals.

2. Remember The Key Topics

A. Physical Properties

• Metals:

  • Have high melting and boiling points (except Mercury).

  • Are sonorous ( they produce sound when struck).

• Non-Metals:

  • Have low melting and boiling points (except diamond).

  • They exist in all states (solid, liquid, gas).

B. Chemical Properties

1. Reactivity Series:

   • Memorize the series $\mathrm{K}>\mathrm{Na}>\mathrm{Ca}>\mathrm{Mg}>\mathrm{Al}>\mathrm{Zn}>\mathrm{Fe}>\mathrm{Pb}>[\mathrm{H}]>\mathrm{Cu}>\mathrm{Hg}>\mathrm{Ag}>\mathrm{Au}$.

   • Displacement Reactions is defined as more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its compound.

   • Example:

$\mathrm{Zn}(\mathrm{s})+\mathrm{CuSO}_4(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{ZnSO}_4(\mathrm{aq})+\mathrm{Cu}(\mathrm{s})$

2. Reactions with Oxygen:

• Metals form basic oxides

• Non-metals form acidic oxides

3. Reactions with Water/Acid:

• Metals like Na, K react violently with water.

• Metals below [H] (e.g., Cu) do not react with dilute acids.

4. Reaction with Bases:

• Some metals (Al, Zn) react with bases to produce hydrogen gas.

3. Important Processes

• Extraction of Metals:

  • Electrolytic reduction for highly reactive metals (e.g., Al).

  • Roasting/Calcination for moderately reactive metals (e.g., Zn).

  • Smelting with reducing agents (e.g., Fe with Coke).

• Corrosion:

  • Rusting of iron $4 \mathrm{Fe}+3 \mathrm{O}_2+2 x \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{Fe}_2 \mathrm{O}_3 . x \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$.

  • Prevention: Galvanization, painting, alloying.

Alloys: Mixtures of metals to enhance properties (e.g., Brass = Cu + Zn).

5. Practice The Diagrams

• Label diagrams in Electrolytic refining, reactivity series.

• Practice the equations of writing balanced chemical equations for reactions.

• Distinguish between Ionic (metal + non-metal) vs. covalent compounds (non-metals).

6. Common Mistakes to revise

• Confusion between malleability and ductility should be avoided.

• Forgetting about mercury (Hg) which is the only liquid metal.

• Misplacing metals in the reactivity series is one of the common mistakes.

Significance of NCERT Class 10 Chemistry Chapter 3 Notes

Metals and Non-metals 10 notes will be helpful in revising all the topics covered in this chapter in one place, which is a more convenient way to learn faster with no other hustle by searching here and there. The highlighting equations are marked with different colours so this will help students recall that specific reaction faster. Also, this NCERT Class 10 Science chapter 3 is available freely, which is another way to learn offline without any issues in the future by just clicking the Class 10 CBSE Science Syllabus.

Class 10 Science: Chapter Wise Notes

NCERT Solutions of Class 10 Subject Wise

NCERT Class 10 Exemplar Solutions

CBSE Class 10 Books and Syllabus