⚗️ CBSE · Class 10 · Science · Chapter 3

Metals and
Non-metals

Complete chapter resources for CBSE Class 10 Science — physical and chemical properties, reactivity series, ionic bonding, extraction of metals, corrosion, and board question strategies.

4Topics
5–7Board marks
8Sample questions
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Key Reactions & Concepts — Chapter 3
  • Metal + O₂: 4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O (basic oxide)
  • Metal + Water: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂↑
  • Metal + Dilute acid: Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂↑
  • Displacement: Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu
  • Thermite reaction: Fe₂O₃ + 2Al → Al₂O₃ + 2Fe
  • Reactivity order: K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu > Au
Chapter Overview

What this chapter covers

Chapter 3 of NCERT Class 10 Science distinguishes metals from non-metals using two broad sets of properties. Physical properties include lustre, hardness, malleability, ductility, electrical and thermal conductivity, and sonority. While most metals share these traits, exceptions matter for board exams — mercury is a liquid metal, iodine is a lustrous non-metal, graphite is a conducting non-metal, and diamond is an extremely hard non-metal.

The chemical properties section studies how metals react with oxygen (forming basic oxides), water (with active metals liberating H₂), dilute acids (releasing H₂), and each other's salt solutions (displacement reactions). The reactivity series organises metals by their tendency to lose electrons, predicting whether a displacement reaction will occur. Highly reactive metals (Na, K) are stored in kerosene to prevent violent reaction with air and moisture.

The chapter concludes with the extraction of metals from ores — covering calcination, roasting, reduction by carbon or by more reactive metals (thermite process), and electrolytic reduction for highly reactive metals. The final section addresses corrosion (rusting of iron: 4Fe + 3O₂ + xH₂O → 2Fe₂O₃·xH₂O) and rancidity in fats, along with preventive measures such as galvanisation, alloying, painting, and anti-oxidants.

Topics

What's inside Chapter 3

As per NCERT Class 10 Science (CBSE syllabus)

Topic 1
Physical & Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-metals
Lustre, malleability, ductility, conductivity, sonority. Reactions with O₂, water, dilute acids, and salt solutions. Exceptions (mercury, iodine, graphite, diamond) are high-frequency exam points.
Topic 2
Reactivity Series and Ionic Bonding
Ranking metals by reactivity (K to Au). Predicting and writing displacement reactions. Formation of ionic compounds through electron transfer — electron-dot structures, properties of ionic compounds.
Topic 3
Extraction of Metals from Ores
Minerals vs. ores. Steps: concentration → roasting/calcination → reduction (by carbon, CO, or more reactive metal) → electrolytic refining. Thermite reaction. Metals of low, medium, and high reactivity — different extraction routes.
Topic 4
Corrosion and Its Prevention
Rusting of iron (equation and conditions). Corrosion of Cu (green patina) and Ag (black tarnish). Prevention: galvanisation, tin plating, painting, alloying, oil/grease coating. Rancidity and use of anti-oxidants.
Connections

How this chapter fits in

Useful for setting question difficulty and cross-chapter papers.

Builds on
Ch 1 · Chemical Reactions and Equations
Balancing equations, types of reactions (combination, displacement)
Class 9 — Matter and Atoms
Atomic structure, valency, ionic and covalent bonding basics
Chapter 3 Metals &
Non-metals
Leads to
Ch 4 · Carbon and Its Compounds
Covalent bonding, allotropes, organic chemistry properties
Class 11 — Electrochemistry
Electrode potentials, galvanic cells, electrolysis in depth
Board Blueprint

Marks & question-type breakdown

Typical pattern based on CBSE Class 10 Science board papers from the last five years.

Question type Marks Typical count What's usually tested
MCQ / Assertion-Reason 1 1–2 Physical property exceptions, reactivity order, or type of oxide formed
Very Short Answer 2 1 Balanced chemical equation for metal + acid/water, or define corrosion/rancidity
Short Answer 3 1 Distinguish roasting vs. calcination, explain reactivity series, or ionic bond formation
Long Answer 5 0–1 Extraction of metals (full flowchart), properties comparison table, or corrosion prevention
Total (approximate) 5–7 3–4 Weightage varies across paper sets and years
Sample Questions

8 sample questions — generated by MarksZen AI

Aligned to CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 3. Covers all question types across Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulty.

Q1 Easy 1 mark MCQ
Which of the following is a non-metal that conducts electricity? (a) Sulphur (b) Phosphorus (c) Graphite (d) Iodine
Q2 Easy 2 marks Short Answer
Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of zinc with dilute sulphuric acid. Identify the type of reaction.
Q3 Medium 2 marks Short Answer
An iron nail is dipped in copper sulphate solution. State what you observe and write the balanced equation for the reaction that takes place. Which property of metals does this reaction demonstrate?
Q4 Medium 3 marks Short Answer
Distinguish between roasting and calcination. Give one example of each with the balanced chemical equation.
Q5 Medium 3 marks Short Answer
Draw the electron-dot structure of the ionic compound formed between sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). Explain the formation of ionic bond in this compound and state any two physical properties of the resulting compound.
Q6 Hard 4 marks Word Problem
A student performs the following four experiments: (i) drops an iron nail into copper sulphate solution (ii) drops a copper wire into iron sulphate solution (iii) drops a zinc piece into dilute hydrochloric acid (iv) drops a copper coin into dilute hydrochloric acid Predict the observation for each experiment, giving a reason. Write the balanced equation wherever a reaction occurs.
Q7 Hard 5 marks Long Answer
Describe the general steps involved in the extraction of a metal of medium reactivity (e.g., zinc) from its sulphide ore. Include: (i) concentration of ore, (ii) conversion of ore to metal oxide, (iii) reduction of metal oxide, (iv) refining. Write chemical equations at each step.
Q8 Hard 5 marks Case-Based
Riya notices that an iron gate left in the open has developed a reddish-brown coating, while her copper water tank has developed a greenish layer, and her silver jewellery has turned black. (i) Name the phenomenon occurring in each case. (ii) Write the chemical equation for the rusting of iron. (iii) Give two methods to prevent rusting of iron. (iv) Why is galvanisation preferred over painting as a long-term protective measure?
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Previous Year Questions

From CBSE board examinations

Actual questions from past Class 10 Science board papers — Metals and Non-metals chapter.

Board 20222 marks
What is meant by the term 'reactivity series of metals'? Why are sodium and potassium kept immersed in kerosene oil? (CBSE All India 2022)
Board 20233 marks
(a) Write the chemical equation for the thermite reaction. Name the type of reaction. (b) Name the method used for refining of metals that conduct electricity. Explain the process briefly. (CBSE Delhi 2023)
Board 20205 marks
Give reasons for the following: (a) Platinum, gold and silver are used to make jewellery. (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 extraction of metals from them. (CBSE 2020)
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FAQ

Questions teachers ask

How many marks does Metals and Non-metals carry in the CBSE Class 10 board exam? +
Typically 5–7 marks across 3–4 questions — one 1-mark MCQ or assertion-reason, one 2-mark short answer on properties or reactions, and one 3–5 mark question on the reactivity series, extraction, or corrosion. Chemical equations involving metals are almost certain to appear every year.
Which reactions of metals with acids are most important for board exams? +
The reactions of metals with dilute HCl and dilute H2SO4 are highest priority. The pattern is: Metal + Dilute acid → Metal salt + Hydrogen gas. Students must write balanced equations for active metals (Na, Mg, Zn, Fe, Al) and know that copper, silver, and gold do not react with dilute acids.
What is the reactivity series and why is it tested every year? +
The reactivity series (or activity series) ranks metals from most reactive (potassium) to least reactive (gold): K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Pb > H > Cu > Ag > Au. It predicts displacement reactions — a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its salt solution. Board questions ask students to predict whether a reaction will occur (e.g., will iron displace copper from CuSO4 solution?) and to write the balanced equation.
What is the difference between roasting and calcination in the extraction of metals? +
Roasting is heating a sulphide ore strongly in the presence of excess air (oxygen) to convert it into a metal oxide — for example, 2ZnS + 3O2 → 2ZnO + 2SO2. Calcination is heating a carbonate ore in limited air to decompose it into a metal oxide — for example, ZnCO3 → ZnO + CO2. Both processes are followed by reduction of the metal oxide to obtain the free metal. This distinction is a common 2-mark or 3-mark board question.
How do I generate a custom question paper for Metals and Non-metals using MarksZen? +
Sign up for a free MarksZen account, choose CBSE Class 10 Science, select Chapter 3 (Metals and Non-metals), set your preferred question-type mix (MCQ, short answer, long answer) and total marks — the AI generates a complete board-aligned paper with answer key in under 2 minutes, ready for PDF export.