# Metals and Non-metals: NCERT Class 10 Science Notes NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 3 notes. This chapter introduces students to the fundamental classification of elements into metals and non-metals Canonical: https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/metals-and-non-metals Source: https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/metals-and-non-metals # Metals and Non-metals ## Concepts in this chapter ## The ideas this chapter keeps returning to ## Where this chapter usually trips people up ## Find the gaps before this chapter finds them for you. ## Related chapters ### Physical Properties of Metals and Non-metals Class 10 Science · Chapter 3 This chapter introduces students to the fundamental classification of elements into metals and non-metals, exploring their distinct physical and chemical properties. It delves into the reactivity of metals, the formation of ionic compounds, and the practical aspects of extracting metals from their ores, concluding with the economically significant issue of corrosion and its prevention. Key topics The child must understand the characteristic physical attributes that distinguish metals from non-metals. This includes properties like lustre, hardness, malleability, ductility, sonority, and conductivity of heat and electricity. They should know that metals generally possess these properties, while non-metals generally do not, with a few exceptions. Example Metals like iron and copper are lustrous and can be hammered into sheets (malleable) or drawn into wires (ductile). Non-metals like sulfur are brittle and break when hammered. Graphite (a form of carbon) is a non-metal but conducts electricity. Watch out Students often forget exceptions, like mercury being a liquid metal, or graphite being a conductive non-metal, or iodine being a lustrous non-metal. The child must understand the characteristic physical attributes that distinguish metals from non-metals. This includes properties like lustre, hardness, malleability, ductility, sonority, and conductivity of heat and electricity. They should know that metals generally possess these properties, while non-metals generally do not, with a few exceptions. Tap the card for an example Example Metals like iron and copper are lustrous and can be hammered into sheets (malleable) or drawn into wires (ductile). Non-metals like sulfur are brittle and break when hammered. Graphite (a form of carbon) is a non-metal but conducts electricity. Why it matters Understanding these properties helps in selecting appropriate materials for various applications, such as using copper for electrical wires due to its conductivity and ductility, or iron for construction due to its strength and malleability. Watch out Students often forget exceptions, like mercury being a liquid metal, or graphite being a conductive non-metal, or iodine being a lustrous non-metal. Ask at home Ask the child to list 5 physical properties of metals and 3 of non-metals, and then ask for one exception for each category. The chapter 'Metals and Non-metals' provides a comprehensive understanding of these two major categories of elements. Students learn to distinguish them based on physical properties like malleability, ductility, lustre, and conductivity, and chemical properties such as reactions with oxygen, water, acids, and salt solutions. The concept of the reactivity series is introduced to explain displacement reactions. The formation of ionic compounds through electron transfer and their characteristic properties are detailed. The chapter then moves to the practical aspects of metallurgy, covering the occurrence of metals, various methods of extraction based on their reactivity, and refining processes. Finally, it addresses the phenomenon of corrosion, its detrimental effects, and effective prevention strategies like galvanisation and alloying, highlighting their real-world applications and importance. Chapter summary The chapter 'Metals and Non-metals' provides a comprehensive understanding of these two major categories of elements. Students learn to distinguish them based on physical properties like malleability, ductility, lustre, and conductivity, and chemical properties such as reactions with oxygen, water, acids, and salt solutions. The concept of the reactivity series is introduced to explain displacement reactions. The formation of ionic compounds through electron transfer and their characteristic properties are detailed. The chapter then moves to the practical aspects of metallurgy, covering the occurrence of metals, various methods of extraction based on their reactivity, and refining processes. Finally, it addresses the phenomenon of corrosion, its detrimental effects, and effective prevention strategies like galvanisation and alloying, highlighting their real-world applications and importance. What you should learn Keep these close Metals are generally malleable, ductile, lustrous, sonorous, and good conductors of heat and electricity. Non-metals are generally brittle, non-lustrous, non-sonorous, and poor conductors (except graphite). Metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides (some amphoteric), while non-metals form acidic or neutral oxides. Metals react with water and dilute acids to produce hydrogen gas, but reactivity varies greatly. The reactivity series arranges metals in decreasing order of their reactivity, predicting displacement reactions. Ionic compounds form by electron transfer between metals and non-metals, creating strong electrostatic bonds. Ionic compounds are typically solids with high melting points, soluble in water, and conduct electricity in molten or aqueous states. Metals occur as free elements or in combined states (minerals/ores); gangue refers to earthy impurities in ores. Extraction methods depend on reactivity: electrolysis for highly reactive, reduction with carbon for moderately reactive, and heating for less reactive metals. Refining removes impurities; electrolytic refining is common for copper, where impure metal is anode and pure metal is cathode. Corrosion is the deterioration of metal due to environmental reaction (e.g., rusting of iron, tarnishing of silver). Prevention of corrosion includes painting, oiling, greasing, galvanising, anodising, and alloying. Common confusions It is easy to think All metals react with water in the same way or at the same rate. The clearer idea Metals vary greatly in their reactivity with water. Highly reactive metals like sodium react vigorously with cold water, while moderately reactive metals like iron react only with steam, and less reactive metals like gold do not react at all. It is easy to think All non-metals are gases at room temperature. The clearer idea While many non-metals are gases (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen), some are solids (e.g., carbon, sulfur, iodine), and one is a liquid (bromine) at room temperature. It is easy to think Ionic compounds conduct electricity in their solid state. The clearer idea Ionic compounds do not conduct electricity in their solid state because their ions are fixed in a rigid lattice structure. They conduct electricity only in molten state or when dissolved in water, as the ions become mobile. It is easy to think Rusting is the only form of corrosion, and it only affects iron. The clearer idea Rusting is a specific type of corrosion that affects iron and its alloys (forming hydrated iron(III) oxide). Other metals also corrode; for example, silver tarnishes (forms silver sulfide), copper develops a green coating (basic copper carbonate), and aluminium forms a protective oxide layer. Before you push ahead Most stuck chapters trace back to one earlier idea. Check the prerequisites first, or let SwaVid adapt this chapter to the way your child learns. Already have an account? Log in Keep exploring Class 10 Source - NCERT Solutions - NCERT Science - Class 10 - Chapter 3 - Differentiate between metals and non-metals based on their physical and chemical properties. - Explain the reactivity series and predict the outcome of displacement reactions involving metals. - Describe the formation of ionic compounds and list their characteristic properties. - Outline the various steps involved in the extraction of metals from their ores based on their reactivity. - Explain the phenomenon of corrosion and describe different methods used for its prevention. - Differentiate between metals and non-metals based on their physical and chemical properties. - Explain the reactivity series and predict the outcome of displacement reactions involving metals. - Describe the formation of ionic compounds and list their characteristic properties. - Outline the various steps involved in the extraction of metals from their ores based on their reactivity. - Explain the phenomenon of corrosion and describe different methods used for its prevention. - NCERT Class 10 Science textbook — Exploration : Chapter 3: Metals and Non-metals ## Key Links - [NCERT Solutions](https://www.swavid.com/ncert-solutions) - [NCERT Science](https://www.swavid.com/science) - [Class 10](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10) - [Start free](https://www.swavid.com/signup?subject=science&standard=10&chapterNo=3&source=seo_chapter) - [Concepts](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/metals-and-non-metals) - [Practice](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/metals-and-non-metals/practice-questions) - [NCERT Solutions](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/metals-and-non-metals/ncert-solutions) - [Create a free account](https://www.swavid.com/signup?subject=science&standard=10&chapterNo=3&source=seo_chapter) - [Find the gaps before this chapter](https://www.swavid.com/learning-debt-identifier/topic?class=10&subject=science&chapter=3) - [Learn this chapter adapted to you](https://www.swavid.com/learning-style-test) - [Log in](https://www.swavid.com/login) - [Previous chapter 2 . Acids, Bases and Salts](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/acids-bases-and-salts) - [Next chapter 4 . Carbon and its Compounds](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/carbon-and-its-compounds) - [All Class 10 chapters](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10) - [Acids, Bases and Salts](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/acids-bases-and-salts) - [Practice](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/acids-bases-and-salts/practice-questions) - [Solutions](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/acids-bases-and-salts/ncert-solutions) - [Carbon and its Compounds](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/carbon-and-its-compounds) - [Practice](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/carbon-and-its-compounds/practice-questions) - [Solutions](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/carbon-and-its-compounds/ncert-solutions) - [Chemical Reactions and Equations](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/chemical-reactions-and-equations) - [Practice](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/chemical-reactions-and-equations/practice-questions) - [Solutions](https://www.swavid.com/science/class/10/chapter/chemical-reactions-and-equations/ncert-solutions) - [NCERT Class 10 Science textbook — Exploration](https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php)