🧪 Class 10 Chemistry — Metals and Non-Metals Detailed Comparative Notes
CBSE Board 2026 | NCERT Based | Comparison Style Notes + Examples + PYQs + Board Important Questions
📖 INTRODUCTION
Elements are mainly divided into two groups:
- Metals
- Non-metals
Both metals and non-metals differ in:
- Physical properties
- Chemical properties
- Uses
- Nature of reactions
This chapter is extremely important for CBSE Board Exams because direct theory questions, differences, activities, equations and reasoning questions are frequently asked.
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🌟 METALS vs NON-METALS ⭐ COMPLETE COMPARISON
Metals| Non-metals
Metals are generally hard substances.| Non-metals are generally soft substances.
Metals are lustrous (shiny).| Non-metals are usually dull.
Metals are malleable and can be beaten into thin sheets.| Non-metals are brittle and break easily.
Metals are ductile and can be drawn into wires.| Non-metals are non-ductile.
Metals are sonorous and produce sound when struck.| Non-metals are non-sonorous.
Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.| Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
Metals generally lose electrons.| Non-metals generally gain electrons.
Metals form positive ions called cations.| Non-metals form negative ions called anions.
Metal oxides are generally basic in nature.| Non-metal oxides are generally acidic in nature.
Metals react with dilute acids to produce hydrogen gas.| Non-metals generally do not react with dilute acids.
Metals form ionic compounds.| Non-metals mostly form covalent compounds.
Metals usually have high melting and boiling points.| Non-metals usually have low melting and boiling points.
Most metals are solids at room temperature.| Non-metals may exist as solids, liquids or gases.
✅ Examples
- Metals → Iron, Copper, Aluminium, Zinc
- Non-metals → Oxygen, Sulphur, Carbon, Nitrogen
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🌟 IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS ⭐ BOARD FAVORITE
Metal Exception| Non-metal Exception
Mercury is a liquid metal.| Bromine is a liquid non-metal.
Sodium and potassium are soft metals.| Graphite conducts electricity.
Lead is a poor conductor of electricity.| Iodine is lustrous (shiny).
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🌟 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES COMPARISON
1️⃣ Lustre
Metals| Non-metals
Metals are shiny.| Non-metals are dull.
✅ Examples
- Gold shines brightly.
- Coal is dull.
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2️⃣ Malleability
Metals| Non-metals
Can be beaten into sheets.| Break on hammering.
✅ Examples
- Aluminium foil
- Silver sheets
- Sulphur breaks easily on hammering
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3️⃣ Ductility
Metals| Non-metals
Drawn into wires.| Cannot form wires.
✅ Examples
- Copper wire
- Aluminium wire
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4️⃣ Conductivity
Metals| Non-metals
Good conductors of heat and electricity.| Poor conductors.
✅ Examples
- Copper conducts electricity.
- Aluminium conducts heat.
- Sulphur does not conduct electricity.
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5️⃣ Sonority
Metals| Non-metals
Produce ringing sound.| Do not produce sound.
✅ Examples
- School bell made of metal produces sound.
- Coal does not produce ringing sound.
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🌟 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES COMPARISON
🧪 Reaction with Oxygen
Metals| Non-metals
Form basic oxides.| Form acidic oxides.
✅ Metal Example
Magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide.
- Magnesium oxide is basic in nature.
✅ Non-metal Example
Sulphur reacts with oxygen to form sulphur dioxide.
- Sulphur dioxide is acidic in nature.
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🌟 Amphoteric Oxides ⭐ VERY IMPORTANT
Some metal oxides react with both acids and bases. Such oxides are called amphoteric oxides.
✅ Examples
- Zinc oxide (ZnO)
- Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃)
Reaction with Acid
Reaction with Base
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🧪 Reaction with Water
Metals| Non-metals
Many metals react with water.| Non-metals generally do not react with water.
✅ Example
Sodium reacts violently with water.
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🌟 Reactivity with Water
Metal| Reaction with Water
Potassium| Violent reaction
Sodium| Violent reaction
Calcium| Less violent
Magnesium| Slow reaction
Iron| Reacts with steam
Copper| No reaction
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🧪 Reaction with Acids
Metals| Non-metals
React with dilute acids producing hydrogen gas.| Generally do not react with dilute acids.
✅ Example
Zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.
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🌟 IMPORTANT NCERT POINT ⭐
Copper, silver and gold do not react with dilute acids because they are less reactive than hydrogen.
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🧪 Reaction with Salt Solutions
Metals| Non-metals
More reactive metal displaces less reactive metal.| Non-metals do not show displacement reactions like metals.
✅ Example
Iron displaces copper from copper sulphate solution.
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🌟 REACTIVITY SERIES ⭐ VERY IMPORTANT
Arrangement of metals in decreasing order of reactivity.
Reactivity Series
K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Pb > H > Cu > Hg > Ag > Au
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🌟 MEMORY TRICK 🧠
“Please Stop Calling Me A Zebra Instead Try Learning How Copper Saves Gold”
- P → Potassium
- S → Sodium
- C → Calcium
- M → Magnesium
- A → Aluminium
- Z → Zinc
- I → Iron
- T → Tin
- L → Lead
- H → Hydrogen
- C → Copper
- S → Silver
- G → Gold
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🌟 IONIC COMPOUNDS ⭐
Metals| Non-metals
Lose electrons.| Gain electrons.
This transfer of electrons forms ionic compounds.
✅ Example: Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
Formation of Sodium Ion
Formation of Chloride Ion
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🌟 PROPERTIES OF IONIC COMPOUNDS
Property| Reason
Hard solids| Strong force of attraction
High melting point| Strong ionic bond
Conduct electricity in molten state| Free ions present
Soluble in water| Polar nature
✅ Examples
- Sodium chloride (NaCl)
- Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂)
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🌟 OCCURRENCE OF METALS
Metals occur naturally as:
- Minerals
- Ores
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🌟 Minerals vs Ores ⭐
Minerals| Ores
Naturally occurring substances containing metals.| Minerals from which metals are extracted profitably.
May not be economically useful.| Economically useful.
✅ Examples
- Bauxite → Ore of aluminium
- Hematite → Ore of iron
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🌟 METALLURGY ⭐
Metallurgy is the process of extraction of metals from ores.
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🌟 STEPS OF METALLURGY
Step| Function
Concentration| Removal of impurities
Extraction| Obtaining metal
Refining| Purification of metal
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🌟 EXTRACTION OF METALS
Type of Metal| Extraction Method
Highly reactive metals| Electrolysis
Moderately reactive metals| Reduction with carbon
Low reactive metals| Found free in nature
✅ Example of Electrolysis
Extraction of sodium from molten sodium chloride.
✅ Example of Reduction
Extraction of iron using carbon.
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🌟 CORROSION ⭐ BOARD IMPORTANT
Corrosion is the slow destruction of metals due to air and moisture.
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🌟 Examples of Corrosion
Metal| Corrosion
Iron| Rusting
Copper| Green coating
Silver| Black coating
Rusting Equation
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🌟 Prevention of Corrosion
- Painting
- Oiling
- Greasing
- Galvanization
- Alloying
✅ Examples
- Iron gates are painted.
- Bicycle chains are greased.
- Water pipes are galvanized.
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🌟 ALLOYS ⭐ IMPORTANT
Alloys are homogeneous mixtures of metals with metals or non-metals.
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🌟 Common Alloys
Alloy| Composition
Brass| Copper + Zinc
Bronze| Copper + Tin
Steel| Iron + Carbon
Solder| Lead + Tin
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🌟 Advantages of Alloys
- Harder
- Stronger
- Corrosion resistant
- Durable
✅ Examples
- Stainless steel utensils
- Brass taps
- Bronze medals
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🎯 MOST IMPORTANT BOARD QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Q1. Differentiate between metals and non-metals.
Answer:
Metals are generally lustrous, malleable, ductile and good conductors of heat and electricity, whereas non-metals are dull, brittle and poor conductors of heat and electricity.
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Q2. Why is sodium stored in kerosene oil?
Answer:
Sodium is highly reactive and reacts violently with air and moisture. Therefore, it is stored in kerosene oil to prevent contact with air.
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Q3. What are ionic compounds?
Answer:
Compounds formed by transfer of electrons from metal to non-metal are called ionic compounds.
Example:
NaCl, MgCl₂
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Q4. Define corrosion. Mention prevention methods.
Answer:
Corrosion is the slow destruction of metals due to air and moisture.
Prevention Methods:
- Painting
- Galvanization
- Greasing
- Alloying
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Q5. What are alloys? Write their advantages.
Answer:
Alloys are homogeneous mixtures of metals with metals or non-metals.
Advantages:
- Stronger
- Harder
- Corrosion resistant
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🔥 IMPORTANT NCERT POINTS
- Most metal oxides are basic.
- Non-metal oxides are acidic.
- Ionic compounds have high melting points.
- Gold and silver are least reactive metals.
- Corrosion damages metals slowly.
- Sodium and potassium are stored in kerosene oil.
- Graphite conducts electricity although it is a non-metal.
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🎯 EXPECTED QUESTIONS FOR CBSE BOARD 2026
1. Differentiate between metals and non-metals.
2. Explain reactivity series.
3. Explain ionic compounds with examples.
4. Explain corrosion and prevention methods.
5. What are alloys? Write advantages.
6. Explain metallurgy.
7. Why is sodium stored in kerosene oil?
8. Explain amphoteric oxides with examples.
9. Explain displacement reaction with equation.
10. Why do ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten state?
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🧠 QUICK REVISION SUMMARY
✅ Metals are shiny, hard and good conductors.
✅ Non-metals are dull and poor conductors.
✅ Metals form basic oxides.
✅ Non-metals form acidic oxides.
✅ Ionic compounds are formed by transfer of electrons.
✅ Corrosion damages metals slowly.
✅ Alloys improve strength and resistance.
✅ Reactivity series helps predict displacement reactions.
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✨ EXTRA BOARD TIPS
- Learn all important equations properly.
- Practice differences in table form.
- Remember exceptions carefully.
- NCERT activities are very important for boards.
- Revise reactivity series regularly.
🎯 IMPORTANT MCQs — Metals and Non-Metals (Class 10 CBSE 2026)
🧪 Multiple Choice Questions with Answers
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Q1. Which of the following is a non-metal?
A) Iron
B) Copper
C) Sulphur
D) Aluminium
✅ Answer: C) Sulphur
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Q2. Which property is generally shown by metals?
A) Brittleness
B) Poor conductivity
C) Malleability
D) Dull appearance
✅ Answer: C) Malleability
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Q3. Which metal is liquid at room temperature?
A) Sodium
B) Mercury
C) Zinc
D) Aluminium
✅ Answer: B) Mercury
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Q4. Which non-metal conducts electricity?
A) Sulphur
B) Oxygen
C) Graphite
D) Bromine
✅ Answer: C) Graphite
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Q5. Metals react with dilute acids to produce:
A) Oxygen gas
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Hydrogen gas
D) Nitrogen gas
✅ Answer: C) Hydrogen gas
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Q6. Which of the following is an amphoteric oxide?
A) MgO
B) Na₂O
C) ZnO
D) CO₂
✅ Answer: C) ZnO
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Q7. Which gas is released when sodium reacts with water?
A) Oxygen
B) Hydrogen
C) Nitrogen
D) Carbon dioxide
✅ Answer: B) Hydrogen
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Q8. Which metal is stored in kerosene oil?
A) Copper
B) Iron
C) Sodium
D) Gold
✅ Answer: C) Sodium
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Q9. Which of the following metals is least reactive?
A) Potassium
B) Sodium
C) Gold
D) Calcium
✅ Answer: C) Gold
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Q10. Which metal reacts with steam but not with cold water?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Iron
D) Calcium
✅ Answer: C) Iron
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Q11. Which of the following is a property of ionic compounds?
A) Low melting point
B) Soft nature
C) Conduct electricity in molten state
D) Insoluble in water
✅ Answer: C) Conduct electricity in molten state
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Q12. Rust is mainly:
A) Iron sulphide
B) Hydrated iron oxide
C) Iron carbonate
D) Iron chloride
✅ Answer: B) Hydrated iron oxide
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Q13. The green coating formed on copper is due to:
A) Rust
B) Copper sulphide
C) Basic copper carbonate
D) Copper oxide only
✅ Answer: C) Basic copper carbonate
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Q14. Which of the following is an alloy?
A) Copper
B) Zinc
C) Bronze
D) Sulphur
✅ Answer: C) Bronze
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Q15. Brass is made of:
A) Copper + Tin
B) Iron + Carbon
C) Copper + Zinc
D) Lead + Tin
✅ Answer: C) Copper + Zinc
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Q16. Which method is used for extraction of highly reactive metals?
A) Heating alone
B) Reduction with carbon
C) Electrolysis
D) Roasting
✅ Answer: C) Electrolysis
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Q17. Which of the following is not a metal?
A) Aluminium
B) Carbon
C) Zinc
D) Iron
✅ Answer: B) Carbon
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Q18. Metals generally form:
A) Negative ions
B) Neutral ions
C) Positive ions
D) Covalent ions
✅ Answer: C) Positive ions
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Q19. Non-metal oxides are generally:
A) Basic
B) Neutral
C) Acidic
D) Amphoteric
✅ Answer: C) Acidic
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Q20. Which of the following is the correct reactivity series order?
A) Au > Ag > Cu > Fe
B) K > Na > Ca > Mg
C) Cu > Fe > Zn > Al
D) Ag > Au > Na > K
✅ Answer: B) K > Na > Ca > Mg
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🔥 Assertion and Reason MCQs
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Q21.
Assertion (A):
Metals are good conductors of electricity.
Reason (R):
Metals contain free electrons.
A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation.
C) A is true but R is false.
D) A is false but R is true.
✅ Answer: A
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Q22.
Assertion (A):
Graphite conducts electricity.
Reason (R):
Graphite has free electrons.
A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation.
C) A is true but R is false.
D) A is false but R is true.
✅ Answer: A
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Q23.
Assertion (A):
Sodium is stored in water.
Reason (R):
Sodium reacts violently with water.
A) Both A and R are true.
B) A is true but R is false.
C) A is false but R is true.
D) Both A and R are false.
✅ Answer: C
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Q24.
Assertion (A):
Gold is found in free state in nature.
Reason (R):
Gold is very less reactive.
A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation.
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation.
C) A is true but R is false.
D) A is false but R is true.
✅ Answer: A
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🎯 Case-Based MCQ
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions.
Riya placed an iron nail in copper sulphate solution. After some time, she observed that the blue colour of the solution faded and a brown coating appeared on the nail.
Q25. The brown coating formed is of:
A) Iron sulphate
B) Copper metal
C) Iron oxide
D) Copper oxide
✅ Answer: B) Copper metal
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Q26. The reaction is an example of:
A) Combination reaction
B) Decomposition reaction
C) Displacement reaction
D) Neutralization reaction
✅ Answer: C) Displacement reaction
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Q27. Which metal is more reactive?
A) Copper
B) Iron
C) Both equal
D) Cannot determine
✅ Answer: B) Iron
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🧠 HOTS MCQs
Q28. Why are ionic compounds hard?
A) Weak force of attraction
B) Presence of ions
C) Strong electrostatic force of attraction
D) Presence of electrons
✅ Answer: C) Strong electrostatic force of attraction
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Q29. Why does aluminium not corrode easily?
A) It is unreactive
B) It forms protective oxide layer
C) It is very hard
D) It is a noble metal
✅ Answer: B) It forms protective oxide layer
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Q30. Which of the following can displace hydrogen from acids?
A) Gold
B) Silver
C) Copper
D) Zinc
✅ Answer: D) Zinc
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✨ BOARD EXAM TIP
✅ Learn:
- Reactivity series
- Important equations
- Alloy compositions
- Exceptions
- Corrosion facts
These are frequently asked in MCQs and competency-based questions.
