Class 10 Metals and Non-Metals Notes PDF | MCQs, PYQs & Important Questions

Class 10 Chemistry: Metals and Non-Metals (CBSE 2026)

PYQs + Important Questions + Detailed Hindi-English Explanation

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⭐ Chapter Weightage (Board Perspective)

Metals and Non-Metals is one of the most important chapters in Class 10 Science.

Questions are asked from:

✅ Physical Properties

✅ Chemical Properties

✅ Reactivity Series

✅ Ionic Compounds

✅ Corrosion

✅ Alloys

✅ Metallurgy

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1. Metals vs Non-Metals (Most Asked PYQ)

Metals	Non-Metals
Lustrous (shiny)	Dull
Malleable	Brittle
Ductile	Non-ductile
Sonorous	Non-sonorous
Good conductors	Poor conductors
Form cations	Form anions
Basic oxides	Acidic oxides

Hindi

धातुएँ (Metals) चमकदार, तन्य (ductile), आघातवर्ध्य (malleable) तथा ऊष्मा और विद्युत की अच्छी चालक होती हैं।

अधातुएँ (Non-metals) सामान्यतः भंगुर, चमकहीन तथा विद्युत की खराब चालक होती हैं।

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🔥 Board PYQ 1

Q. Name one metal and one non-metal which exist in liquid state at room temperature.

Answer

Metal → Mercury (Hg)

Non-metal → Bromine (Br)

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2. Reaction of Metals with Oxygen

Concept

Metals + Oxygen → Metal Oxide

Most metal oxides are basic.

Example

2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO

MgO is basic.

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Hindi

धातुएँ ऑक्सीजन से अभिक्रिया करके धातु ऑक्साइड बनाती हैं।

अधिकांश धातु ऑक्साइड क्षारीय (Basic) होते हैं।

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🔥 PYQ 2

Q. What happens when magnesium ribbon is burnt?

Answer

Magnesium burns with dazzling white flame and forms magnesium oxide.

2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO

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3. Reaction of Non-Metals with Oxygen

Example

S + O_2 \rightarrow SO_2

SO₂ is acidic.

Hindi

अधातुएँ ऑक्सीजन से अभिक्रिया करके अम्लीय ऑक्साइड बनाती हैं।

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4. Amphoteric Oxides (Board Favourite)

These oxides react with both acids and bases.

Examples

✅ Zinc oxide (ZnO)

✅ Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃)

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PYQ

Q. Name two amphoteric oxides.

Answer:

ZnO and Al₂O₃

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5. Reaction with Water

Reactivity Order

Potassium > Sodium > Calcium > Magnesium > Iron > Copper

Examples

Sodium

2Na + 2H_2O \rightarrow 2NaOH + H_2

Calcium

Ca + 2H_2O \rightarrow Ca(OH)_2 + H_2

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🔥 Board PYQ

Why are sodium and potassium stored in kerosene oil?

Answer

Because they react violently with oxygen and moisture present in air.

इसलिए उन्हें मिट्टी के तेल (kerosene oil) में रखा जाता है।

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6. Reaction with Dilute Acids

General Equation

Example

Zn + 2HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2

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PYQ

Q. Name metals that do not react with dilute HCl.

Answer:

Copper, Silver and Gold

Reason:

They are less reactive than hydrogen.

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7. Displacement Reaction

Rule

More reactive metal displaces less reactive metal.

Example

Fe + CuSO_4 \rightarrow FeSO_4 + Cu

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Hindi Explanation

लोहा (Iron), ताँबे (Copper) से अधिक अभिक्रियाशील है।

इसलिए Fe, CuSO₄ से Cu को विस्थापित कर देता है।

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PYQ

What colour changes occur?

Answer:

Blue CuSO₄ solution → Green FeSO₄ solution

Brown copper layer deposited.

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8. Reactivity Series (Very Important)

Learn Exactly

K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Pb > H > Cu > Hg > Ag > Au

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Board Trick

Please Stop Calling Me A Zebra Instead Try Learning How Copper Saves Gold

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PYQ

Q. Which metal can displace hydrogen from acids?

Answer:

Any metal above hydrogen.

Examples:

Zn, Fe, Mg, Al

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9. Ionic Compounds

Formation

Metal loses electron.

Non-metal gains electron.

Example

NaCl

Na \rightarrow Na^+ + e^-

Cl + e^- \rightarrow Cl^-

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Hindi

धातु इलेक्ट्रॉन खोती है जबकि अधातु इलेक्ट्रॉन ग्रहण करती है।

इससे आयनिक यौगिक बनते हैं।

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Properties of Ionic Compounds

Property	Reason
Hard	Strong attraction
High MP/BP	Strong ionic bond
Conduct in molten state	Free ions present
Soluble in water	Polar nature

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PYQ

Why do ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten state?

Answer

Because ions become free to move.

Molten अवस्था में आयन स्वतंत्र रूप से गति करते हैं।

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10. Metallurgy

Definition

Extraction of metals from ores is called metallurgy.

Steps

1. Concentration

2. Extraction

3. Refining

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PYQ

Difference Between Mineral and Ore

Mineral	Ore
Contains metal	Metal can be extracted profitably
May not be useful	Economically useful

Examples:

Bauxite → Ore of Aluminium

Hematite → Ore of Iron

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11. Extraction of Metals

Metal Type	Method
Highly reactive	Electrolysis
Moderately reactive	Reduction
Less reactive	Found free

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Board PYQ

Q. How is sodium extracted?

Answer:

By electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.

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12. Corrosion

Definition

Slow destruction of metals due to air and moisture.

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Examples

Iron → Rusting

Copper → Green coating

Silver → Black coating

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Rusting

Iron + Oxygen + Water \rightarrow Rust

Conditions

✅ Air

✅ Moisture

Both are necessary.

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PYQ

How can rusting be prevented?

Answer:

• Painting
• Greasing
• Oiling
• Galvanization
• Alloying

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13. Galvanization

Definition

Coating of zinc over iron to prevent rusting.

Board Favourite

Water pipes and iron sheets are galvanized.

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14. Alloys

Definition

Homogeneous mixture of metals or metals with non-metals.

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Important Alloys

Alloy	Composition
Brass	Copper + Zinc
Bronze	Copper + Tin
Steel	Iron + Carbon
Solder	Lead + Tin

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PYQ

Why are alloys preferred?

Answer:

• Harder
• Stronger
• Corrosion resistant
• Durable

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Assertion-Reason PYQs

Q1

Assertion:

Graphite conducts electricity.

Reason:

Graphite contains free electrons.

✅ Answer: Both true and Reason is correct explanation.

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Q2

Assertion:

Gold occurs in free state.

Reason:

Gold is very less reactive.

✅ Answer: Both true and Reason correctly explains Assertion.

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Competency Based Questions

Case Study

An iron nail is dipped in copper sulphate solution.

After some time:

• Blue colour fades
• Brown deposit appears

Questions

1. Which metal is deposited?

Answer: Copper

2. Which metal is more reactive?

Answer: Iron

3. Type of reaction?

Answer: Displacement reaction

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Top 10 Expected Board Questions (2026)

1. Differentiate between metals and non-metals.
2. Explain amphoteric oxides with examples.
3. Why is sodium stored in kerosene oil?
4. Explain reactivity series.
5. Explain ionic compounds.
6. Why do ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten state?
7. Explain corrosion and its prevention.
8. What is galvanization?
9. Differentiate between minerals and ores.
10. Explain displacement reaction with equation.

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NCERT One-Line Revision

✅ Mercury is the only liquid metal.

✅ Bromine is the only liquid non-metal.

✅ Graphite conducts electricity.

✅ ZnO and Al₂O₃ are amphoteric oxides.

✅ Gold and silver are least reactive metals.

✅ Sodium and potassium are stored in kerosene.

✅ Ionic compounds have high melting points.

✅ Rust is hydrated iron oxide.

✅ Brass = Copper + Zinc.

✅ Bronze = Copper + Tin.

Board Exam Target

If you learn:

• Reactivity series
• Alloy compositions
• Amphoteric oxides
• Corrosion prevention
• Ionic compound properties
• All NCERT activities

then you can confidently solve most CBSE Board questions from this chapter.

Haan, tumhare notes bahut acche hain, lekin CBSE Board 2026 ke liye kuch NCERT points aur important equations chhut gaye hain. Ye points board mein direct 1–3 marks ke liye pooche ja sakte hain.

🔥 Metals and Non-Metals Complete Final Revision Sheet

1️⃣ Metal Oxides

Basic Oxides

Na₂O

MgO

CaO

Acid + Basic Oxide → Salt + Water

Example:

MgO + 2HCl \rightarrow MgCl_2 + H_2O

Acidic Oxides

CO₂

SO₂

SO₃

Base + Acidic Oxide → Salt + Water

Example:

CO_2 + Ca(OH)_2 \rightarrow CaCO_3 + H_2O

Amphoteric Oxides ⭐

Examples:

ZnO

Al₂O₃

React with both acids and bases.

Example:

ZnO + 2HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2O

ZnO + 2NaOH \rightarrow Na_2ZnO_2 + H_2O

2️⃣ Reaction with Water (Complete)

Metal Reaction

Potassium Explosive

Sodium Violent

Calcium Fast

Magnesium Slow

Aluminium Protected by oxide layer

Zinc Reacts with steam

Iron Reacts with steam

Copper No reaction

NCERT Fact

Potassium and Sodium reactions are so vigorous that the hydrogen produced catches fire immediately.

3️⃣ Reaction with Acids

General Equation

Metal + Acid \rightarrow Salt + H_2

Example:

Zn + H_2SO_4 \rightarrow ZnSO_4 + H_2

Important Exception

Copper, Silver, Gold do not react with dilute acids

4️⃣ Aqua Regia ⭐ NCERT Special

Mixture of:

1 part concentrated HNO₃

3 parts concentrated HCl

Used to dissolve:

Gold

Platinum

Board Favourite Question

Q. Which acid dissolves gold?

Answer:

Aqua Regia

5️⃣ Ionic Compound Properties (Full)

High Melting Point

Strong electrostatic force.

Hard But Brittle

Hammering shifts ions.

Like charges come close.

Repulsion occurs.

Crystal breaks.

Conductivity

❌ Solid state → No conductivity

✅ Molten state → Conductivity

✅ Aqueous solution → Conductivity

6️⃣ Extraction of Metals (NCERT Flowchart)

Low Reactive Metals

Examples:

Gold

Silver

Platinum

Found in free state.

Medium Reactive Metals

Examples:

Iron

Zinc

Lead

Obtained by reduction.

Example:

ZnO + C \rightarrow Zn + CO

Highly Reactive Metals

Examples:

Sodium

Potassium

Calcium

Magnesium

Aluminium

Obtained by electrolysis.

7️⃣ Thermite Reaction ⭐ Very Important

Fe_2O_3 + 2Al \rightarrow Al_2O_3 + 2Fe + Heat

Uses

Railway track welding

Repairing machine parts

Board mein poochha ja chuka hai.

8️⃣ Enrichment of Ore

Before extraction impurities removed.

Called: concentration of ore

Methods:

Hydraulic washing

Froth flotation

Magnetic separation

(Sirf names yaad rakho.)

9️⃣ Corrosion (Complete)

Iron

Rust:Hydrated ferric Oxide

Fe_2O_3 \cdot xH_2O

Copper

Green Layer:

Basic Copper Carbonate

CuCO_3 \cdot Cu(OH)_2

Silver

Black Layer:

Silver Sulphide

Ag_2S

🔟 Prevention of Corrosion

Painting

Oiling

Greasing

Galvanization

Chrome Plating

Alloying

1️⃣1️⃣ Galvanization

Iron coated with zinc.

Purpose:prevent rusting

Example:

Water tanks

Iron sheets

Pipes

1️⃣2️⃣ Alloy vs Pure Metal

Pure Metal Alloy

Softer Harder

Less durable More durable

Corrodes easily Corrosion resistant

1️⃣3️⃣ Important Alloys

Alloy Composition

Brass Cu + Zn

Bronze Cu + Sn

Steel Fe + C

Stainless Steel Fe + C + Cr + Ni

Solder Pb + Sn

1️⃣4️⃣ NCERT Exceptions (Must Learn)

Liquid Metal Mercury

Liquid Non-metal Bromine

Soft Metals Sodium, Potassium

Conducting Non-metal Graphite

Lustrous Non-metal Iodine

Poor Conducting Metal Lead

1️⃣5️⃣ Most Important Equations

Magnesium Burning

2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO

Zinc + HCl

Zn + 2HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2

Sodium + Water

2Na + 2H_2O \rightarrow 2NaOH + H_2

Iron + Copper Sulphate

Fe + CuSO_4 =FeSO_4 + Cu

Thermite Reaction

Fe_2O_3 + 2Al =Al_2O_3 + 2Fe

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🎯 2026 Board Most Expected Questions

1. Why is sodium stored in kerosene oil?

2. Explain amphoteric oxides with examples.

3. Explain ionic compounds and their properties.

4. Why do ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten state?

5. Explain reactivity series.

6. What is thermite reaction?

7. Explain corrosion and prevention.

8. What is galvanization?

9. Differentiate ore and mineral.

10. Write any four properties of metals and non-metals.

11. Why does aluminium not corrode easily?

12. Why are ionic compounds hard but brittle?

13. Explain displacement reaction with example.

14. What is aqua regia?

15. Write compositions of brass, bronze and steel.