MP Board 10 Science Ch3: Metals & Non-Metals Notes
MP Board Class 10 Science Chapter 3: Metals and Non-Metals — Complete Study Notes
Comprehensive notes covering physical properties, chemical properties, reactivity series, extraction of metals, corrosion, and important questions for 2027 MP Board exam.
📌 Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals
| Property | Metals | Non-Metals |
|---|---|---|
| State at Room Temp | Solid (except Hg, Ga, Cs) | Solid / Liquid (Br₂) / Gas |
| Lustre | Shiny (metallic lustre) | Dull (except I₂, diamond) |
| Hardness | Generally hard (except Na, K) | Soft (except diamond) |
| Malleability | Malleable (can be hammered into sheets) | Non-malleable (brittle) |
| Ductility | Ductile (can be drawn into wires) | Non-ductile |
| Conductivity | Good conductors of heat & electricity | Poor conductors (except graphite) |
| Sonorous | Yes (produce ringing sound) | No |
| Melting & Boiling Point | High (except Na, K, Hg) | Low (except C, B, Si) |
| Density | High (except Na, K) | Low |
Exceptions to Remember:
- Mercury (Hg) — Liquid metal at room temperature
- Gallium (Ga) & Cesium (Cs) — Low melting point metals
- Sodium (Na) & Potassium (K) — Soft metals, can be cut with knife
- Graphite (C) — Non-metal that conducts electricity
- Iodine (I₂) — Non-metal with metallic lustre
- Diamond (C) — Hardest natural substance (non-metal)
⚗️ Chemical Properties of Metals
1. Reaction with Oxygen (Formation of Metal Oxides)
Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide (Basic Oxide)
- 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO (Magnesium burns with dazzling white light)
- 4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃ (Aluminium forms protective oxide layer)
- 3Fe + 2O₂ → Fe₃O₄ (Iron burns with sparks)
- 2Cu + O₂ → 2CuO (Copper turns black on heating)
- 2Zn + O₂ → 2ZnO (Zinc burns with blue-green flame)
Amphoteric Oxides: ZnO, Al₂O₃ — react with both acids and bases.
2. Reaction with Water
| Metal | Reaction with Water | Equation |
|---|---|---|
| Na, K | Violent (even with cold water) | 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂↑ |
| Ca | Less violent with cold water | Ca + 2H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + H₂↑ |
| Mg | Reacts with hot water | Mg + 2H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + H₂↑ |
| Al, Fe, Zn | Reacts with steam | 3Fe + 4H₂O → Fe₃O₄ + 4H₂↑ |
| Cu, Ag, Au | Do NOT react with water | — |
3. Reaction with Acids
Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen Gas ↑
- Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂↑ (Test: Pop sound with burning matchstick)
- Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂↑
- 2Al + 6HCl → 2AlCl₃ + 3H₂↑
- Fe + 2HCl → FeCl₂ + H₂↑
- Cu + HCl → No reaction (Copper is less reactive)
⚠️ Aqua Regia (3HCl : 1HNO₃) — Can dissolve even gold and platinum (noble metals).
4. Reaction with Salt Solutions (Displacement Reactions)
More reactive metal displaces less reactive metal from its salt solution.
- Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu (Blue to green colour change)
- Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu
- Cu + 2AgNO₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2Ag
📊 Reactivity Series of Metals (Activity Series)
| Reactivity | Metal | Symbol | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Reactive | Potassium | K | React with cold water violently |
| Sodium | Na | Stored in kerosene | |
| Calcium | Ca | React with water | |
| Magnesium | Mg | React with hot water | |
| Moderately Reactive | Aluminium | Al | React with steam + acids |
| Zinc | Zn | ||
| Iron | Fe | ||
| Less Reactive | Lead | Pb | React only with strong acids |
| Copper | Cu | Does NOT react with dil. acids | |
| Least Reactive (Noble) | Silver | Ag | Do not react with acids/water |
| Gold | Au | ||
| Platinum | Pt |
Mnemonic: Please Send Cats, Monkeys And Zebras In Large Cages, Securely Guarded → K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu, Ag, Au
⛏️ Extraction of Metals (Metallurgy)
Based on reactivity, extraction methods differ:
A. Metals at Top of Reactivity Series (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al)
Method: Electrolytic Reduction (Electrolysis)
- Extracted from molten chlorides/oxides
- Example: NaCl → Na⁺ + Cl⁻ (Electrolysis)
- Hall-Heroult Process: Extraction of Aluminium from bauxite (Al₂O₃)
B. Metals in Middle of Reactivity Series (Zn, Fe, Pb)
Method: Reduction by Carbon (Smelting)
- Concentration of Ore: Remove impurities (gangue)
- Roasting: Heating in air (for sulphide ores)
2ZnS + 3O₂ → 2ZnO + 2SO₂↑
- Calcination: Heating in limited air (for carbonate ores)
ZnCO₃ → ZnO + CO₂↑
- Reduction: Metal oxide + Carbon → Metal + CO₂
ZnO + C → Zn + CO
C. Metals at Bottom of Reactivity Series (Cu, Ag, Au)
Method: Occur in native state (free in nature)
- No chemical extraction needed
- Gold and silver can be found as pure elements
- Copper: Cu₂S + 3O₂ → 2CuO + 2SO₂; Cu₂S + 2CuO → 6Cu + SO₂
🔠 Important Definitions
- Metallurgy: Process of extracting metals from their ores
- Ore: Mineral from which metal can be extracted profitably
- Gangue: Impurities in ore (sand, mud, etc.)
- Flux: Substance added to react with gangue to form slag
- Slag: Easily fusible product of flux + gangue reaction
- Alloy: Homogeneous mixture of two or more metals (or metal + non-metal)
- Amalgam: Alloy of mercury with another metal
- Native State: Metals found in pure form in nature
🛡️ Corrosion
Definition: Deterioration of metals by reaction with air, moisture, or chemicals.
Types of Corrosion:
- Rusting of Iron: 4Fe + 3O₂ + 2xH₂O → 2Fe₂O₃·xH₂O (Rust)
- Tarnishing of Silver: 2Ag + H₂S → Ag₂S (Black)
- Tarnishing of Copper: 2Cu + CO₂ + H₂O + O₂ → Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃ (Green patina)
Prevention of Corrosion:
- Painting / Oiling / Greasing
- Galvanisation: Coating iron with zinc
- Tin/Chromium Plating: Coating with tin/chromium
- Alloying: Making alloys (e.g., stainless steel)
- Electroplating: Electrolytic coating of protective metal
- Sacrificial Protection: Attaching more reactive metal (Mg/Zn) to iron
🔩 Alloys — Composition and Uses
| Alloy | Composition | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Brass | Cu (60-80%) + Zn (20-40%) | Utensils, musical instruments |
| Bronze | Cu (80-90%) + Sn (10-20%) | Statues, medals, coins |
| Stainless Steel | Fe + Cr (18%) + Ni (8%) + C | Utensils, surgical instruments |
| Solder | Pb (50%) + Sn (50%) | Soldering wires, electrical joints |
| Amalgam | Hg + other metal | Dental fillings (Ag-amalgam) |
| Nichrome | Ni (60%) + Cr (12%) + Fe (26%) + Mn (2%) | Heating elements |
| Duralumin | Al (95%) + Cu (4%) + Mg (1%) | Aircraft bodies |
📝 Important Questions for MP Board 2027
Very Short Answer (1 Mark)
- Which metal is liquid at room temperature? (Ans: Mercury)
- Which non-metal conducts electricity? (Ans: Graphite)
- Name the hardest natural substance. (Ans: Diamond)
- Which metal is stored in kerosene? (Ans: Sodium / Potassium)
- What is aqua regia? (Ans: Mixture of conc. HCl and HNO₃ in 3:1 ratio)
Short Answer (2-3 Marks)
- Why is aluminium used to make cooking utensils? (Ans: Good conductor, forms protective Al₂O₃ layer, lightweight)
- What is galvanisation? Why is it done?
- Explain the reaction of sodium with water. Why is sodium stored in kerosene?
- Differentiate between roasting and calcination with examples.
- Why does copper not react with dilute HCl but reacts with concentrated H₂SO₄?
Long Answer (5 Marks)
- Explain the reactivity series of metals. How does it help in extracting metals from their ores?
- Describe the methods used to prevent corrosion of iron.
- Write equations for the reactions of metals (Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu) with (a) oxygen, (b) water, (c) dilute acid.
- Explain with diagrams: Extraction of zinc from zinc sulphide ore.
- What are alloys? Explain the composition and uses of brass, bronze, stainless steel, and solder.
📖 Previous Year Questions (PYQs 2017-2026)
- 2024: Explain the method of extracting metals that are in the middle of the reactivity series. (5 marks)
- 2023: What is rusting? Write the chemical equation. How can rusting be prevented? (3 marks)
- 2022: Why are sodium and potassium kept in kerosene? Write reactions with water. (3 marks)
- 2021: Define: (a) Ore (b) Gangue (c) Flux (d) Slag (e) Alloy (5 marks)
- 2020: Give reasons: (a) Aluminium forms Al₂O₃ layer (b) Copper vessels develop green coating
- 2019: Describe the extraction of zinc from its ore. (5 marks)
📲 Download PDF Notes
These notes cover the complete MP Board Class 10 Science Chapter 3 syllabus. Bookmark this page for quick revision before your 2027 exams.
Related Chapters:
- Ch1: Chemical Reactions and Equations
- Ch2: Acids, Bases and Salts
- Ch4: Carbon and its Compounds
- Ch5: Life Processes
- Ch6: Control and Coordination
✅ Tip for MP Board 2027: Focus on balancing equations, reactivity series order, and extraction methods — these are the most frequently asked topics in board exams.