TNPSC Chemistry Metals and Non-Metals Quiz 1

Concept Booster – Metals and Non-Metals

Understanding metals and non-metals is a core part of TNPSC General Science. These Metals and Non-Metals TNPSC Questions are based on properties, reactions, uses, and exceptions that are frequently asked in exams. Mastering these concepts will help you answer both direct and application-based questions confidently.

Q1. Which of the following is a metal?

Metals are elements that are usually shiny, strong, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. They are widely used in construction, machinery, and electrical applications.

Key Points:

• Metals conduct heat and electricity well.
• Most metals are hard and strong.
• Metals can be shaped into sheets and wires.
• Iron, copper, aluminium, and gold are common metals.

Real-Life Example: Iron is used to make buildings, bridges, and railway tracks because of its strength.

Answer: Iron

Q2. Which of the following is a non-metal?

Non-metals are elements that generally do not conduct heat or electricity. They are usually dull and brittle compared to metals.

Key Points:

• Poor conductors of heat and electricity.
• Usually brittle and non-shiny.
• Essential non-metals include oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur.
• Many non-metals are important for life processes.

Real-Life Example: Sulphur is used in the manufacture of fertilizers and medicines.

Answer: Sulphur

Q3. Metals are generally:

Metals contain free electrons that move easily within the metal structure. This allows them to transfer heat and electricity efficiently.

Key Points:

• Metals are excellent conductors.
• Free electrons carry electric current.
• Heat passes quickly through metals.
• Used in electrical appliances and wiring.

Real-Life Example: Copper wires are used in homes because copper conducts electricity very efficiently.

Answer: Good conductors of heat and electricity

Q4. Non-metals are generally:

Unlike metals, non-metals do not have freely moving electrons. Therefore, they usually do not conduct heat and electricity effectively.

Key Points:

• Poor conductors of electricity.
• Poor conductors of heat.
• Generally brittle in solid form.
• Used as insulators in many applications.

Real-Life Example: Plastic-coated electrical wires help prevent electric shocks because plastic is a poor conductor.

Answer: Poor conductors of heat and electricity

Q5. Which property allows metals to be beaten into thin sheets?

Malleability is the ability of a metal to be hammered or pressed into thin sheets without breaking. This is an important property of metals.

Key Points:

• Malleability is a characteristic property of metals.
• Allows metals to be shaped easily.
• Used in manufacturing sheets and foils.
• Gold is one of the most malleable metals.

Real-Life Example: Aluminium foil used for food wrapping is made possible because aluminium is highly malleable.

Answer: Malleability

Q6. Which property allows metals to be drawn into wires?

Ductility is the property of a metal that allows it to be stretched and drawn into thin wires without breaking. This property makes metals useful in electrical and communication systems.

Key Points:

• Ductility is a characteristic property of metals.
• Metals can be converted into thin wires.
• Copper and aluminium are highly ductile.
• Used in electrical and telephone cables.

Real-Life Example: Copper wires are used in homes because copper is highly ductile and conducts electricity well.

Answer: Ductility

Q7. Which metal is liquid at room temperature?

Most metals are solid at room temperature, but mercury is a unique metal that remains liquid under normal conditions.

Key Points:

• Mercury is the only liquid metal at room temperature.
• It has a shiny metallic appearance.
• Used in thermometers and scientific instruments.
• Symbol: Hg

Real-Life Example: Traditional thermometers used mercury to measure temperature changes.

Answer: Mercury

Q8. Which non-metal is liquid at room temperature?

Most non-metals exist as gases or solids at room temperature. Bromine is the only non-metal that remains in liquid form under normal conditions.

Key Points:

• Bromine is a reddish-brown liquid.
• It is a non-metal.
• Symbol: Br
• Has a strong and unpleasant smell.

Real-Life Example: Bromine compounds are used in water treatment and flame retardants.

Answer: Bromine

Q9. Metals generally react with oxygen to form:

When metals combine with oxygen, they form metal oxides. These oxides are generally basic in nature.

Key Points:

• Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide
• Most metal oxides are basic.
• Oxidation occurs when metals react with air.
• Some metals form protective oxide layers.

Real-Life Example: Magnesium burns in air to form magnesium oxide.

Answer: Metal oxides

Q10. Non-metals generally form:

Non-metals react with oxygen to form non-metallic oxides, which are usually acidic in nature.

Key Points:

• Non-metal + Oxygen → Acidic Oxide
• Acidic oxides dissolve in water to form acids.
• Carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide are common examples.
• Opposite to basic metal oxides.

Real-Life Example: Carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater and forms weak carbonic acid.

Answer: Acidic oxides

Q11. Metals react with acids to produce:

When most metals react with dilute acids, they form a salt and release hydrogen gas. This is a common chemical property of metals.

Key Points:

• Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen Gas
• Hydrogen gas is released during the reaction.
• Reactive metals show this property clearly.
• Used in laboratory demonstrations.

Real-Life Example: Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce zinc chloride and hydrogen gas.

Answer: Hydrogen gas

Q12. Which metal is used in electrical wiring?

Copper is widely used in electrical wiring because it conducts electricity efficiently and can be drawn into thin wires.

Key Points:

• Excellent conductor of electricity.
• Highly ductile.
• Resistant to corrosion.
• Commonly used in homes and industries.

Real-Life Example: Almost all household electrical wiring contains copper wires.

Answer: Copper

Q13. Which metal is used for making utensils?

Aluminium is commonly used for utensils because it is lightweight, durable, and conducts heat effectively.

Key Points:

• Good conductor of heat.
• Lightweight and strong.
• Resistant to rusting.
• Easy to shape into different forms.

Real-Life Example: Cooking vessels and pressure cookers are often made from aluminium.

Answer: Aluminium

Q14. Which non-metal is essential for respiration?

Oxygen is a vital non-metal required by living organisms for respiration. It helps release energy from food inside cells.

Key Points:

• Essential for breathing.
• Supports combustion.
• Makes up about 21% of Earth’s atmosphere.
• Required for energy production in cells.

Real-Life Example: Humans inhale oxygen through the lungs and use it for respiration.

Answer: Oxygen

Q15. Which metal is the most abundant in the Earth’s crust?

Aluminium is the most abundant metal found in the Earth’s crust. It occurs mainly in the form of bauxite ore.

Key Points:

• Most abundant metal in Earth’s crust.
• Extracted from bauxite ore.
• Lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
• Widely used in transportation and construction.

Real-Life Example: Aircraft bodies often contain aluminium because it is both strong and lightweight.

Answer: Aluminium

Q16. The reaction of metals with water produces:

Certain metals react with water to form metal hydroxides and hydrogen gas. Highly reactive metals such as sodium and potassium react vigorously with water.

Key Points:

• Metal + Water → Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen Gas
• Hydrogen gas is released.
• Sodium and potassium react very rapidly.
• Less reactive metals react slowly or not at all.

Real-Life Example: When sodium is dropped into water, it reacts vigorously and releases hydrogen gas.

Answer: Metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas

Q17. Which of the following is the hardest natural metal?

Tungsten is known for its exceptional hardness and very high melting point. These properties make it useful in industrial and engineering applications.

Key Points:

• Very hard and strong metal.
• Has a high melting point.
• Resistant to wear and heat.
• Used in industrial tools and machinery.

Real-Life Example: Tungsten is used in cutting tools and machine parts because it can withstand high temperatures.

Answer: Tungsten

Q18. Which non-metal is used in water purification?

Chlorine is a non-metal commonly used to disinfect drinking water. It kills harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can cause diseases.

Key Points:

• Used for water treatment.
• Kills germs and bacteria.
• Helps prevent water-borne diseases.
• Strong disinfectant.

Real-Life Example: Municipal water treatment plants add chlorine to make drinking water safe.

Answer: Chlorine

Q19. Rusting occurs in:

Rusting is a chemical process in which iron reacts with oxygen and moisture to form a reddish-brown substance called rust.

Key Points:

• Rusting affects iron and steel.
• Requires oxygen and water.
• Weakens metal structures.
• Corrosion is a major industrial problem.

Real-Life Example: An iron gate left exposed to rain for a long time develops a reddish-brown rust layer.

Answer: Iron

Q20. Metals generally have:

Most metals have high melting points because their atoms are held together by strong metallic bonds. More heat energy is needed to break these bonds.

Key Points:

• Strong metallic bonds.
• High melting and boiling points.
• Suitable for high-temperature applications.
• Exceptions include metals like mercury.

Real-Life Example: Iron is used in construction because it remains solid even at high temperatures.

Answer: High melting points

Reference

👉 NCERT Science Class 10 – Metals and Non-metals