Tag: physical properties of metals and non-metals

Questions Related to physical properties of metals and non-metals

Metals tend to form:

  1. cations

  2. anions

  3. cations and anions

  4. do not form ions


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Metals lose electrons in bonding whilst non-metals gain electrons during ionic bonding hence metals form cations and non-metals form anions. It is difficult for a non metal such as oxygen to lose 6 electrons to form a cation since it would need a lot of energy. When it comes to metals it is also difficult to gain that much elecrons since as electrons are added the effective nuclear charge increases each time.

Metals are usually hard. Hence metals are strong and can withstand heavy loads over them. Due to this property, they are difficult to cut and can be used in the construction of heavy machines, building etc.
On the other hand, non-metals are usually brittle. On hammering them they break into small pieces converting themselves into a fine powder.


In the following elements identify the elements that is relatively brittle?

  1. Sulphur

  2. Diamond

  3. Iron

  4. Magnesium


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Diamond is the hardest non-metallic element which is an exception. Sulphur is a non metal and is relatively brittle while others are metals and are hard, but not brittle.


Therefore, option A is correct.

What are the properties of a metal?

  1. Malleable

  2. Ductile

  3. Form acidic oxides 

  4. Conductor


Correct Option: A,B,D
Explanation:

Metals are hard and can be casted into thin sheets and wired example Al, iron etc. Therefore they are malleable and ductile respectively.
The valence electrons in metals are delocalized over several atoms that makes them good conductors. Metals react with oxygen to form oxides as:
$Ca+O _2 \rightarrow CaO$
these oxides reacts with water to yield metal hydroxide as:
$CaO+H _2O \rightarrow Ca(OH) _2$
Metal hydroxides are strong bases as they form hydroxide ions and the ion of the particular metal that it is made up of in aqueous phase. Example: When $Ca(OH) _2$ is dissolved in water, it forms two $OH^-$ ions and $Ca^{ 2+ }$ ions. therefore metal oxides are basic.
option A,B, ,D are correct

Which property is not associated with non-metals?

  1. High density

  2. Low melting point

  3. Low tensile strength

  4. Non- ductile


Correct Option: A
Explanation:
  • As compared to metals, they have low density and will melt at low temperatures. The shape of a nonmetal cannot be changed easily as they tend to be brittle and will break. 
  • Elements that have properties of both metals and nonmetals are called metalloids. They can be shiny or dull and their shape is easily changed.
  • Hence High density is not associated with non-metals and so option A is correct answer.

Which statement is correct for all metals?

  1. Conduct electricity when molten

  2. Gain electrons when they form ions

  3. Have a low density

  4. Have a low melting point


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Solution:- (A) Conduct electricity when molten

Metals conducts electricity in molten state due to delocalised electrions.

Compare the physical properties of metals and non-metals in general with reference to malleability.

  1. Both are malleable

  2. None are malleable

  3. Only metals are malleable

  4. Only non-metals are malleable


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Malleability: Metals have the ability to withstand hammering and can be made into thin sheets known as foils. while non metals are generally brittle.

Gallium at room temperature is in :

  1. plasma state

  2. liquid state

  3. solid state

  4. gaseous state


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Gallium melts at room temperature and has one of the largest liquid ranges of any metal. The melting point of gallium is used as a temperature reference point. At room temperature, gallium metal is unreactive towards air and water due to formation of a passive protective oxide layer. It melts at $29.76^{\circ} C$ (slightly above the room temperature). It is used as an agent to make alloys and is also useful in semicounductors.

Which of the following metal can be cut with the knife?

  1. Gold

  2. Potassium

  3. Iron

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Sodium, potassium, lithium are soft metals and can be easily cut. It is the secong least dense metal after lithium. It is a soft solid that has a low melting point and can be cut with knife while iron and gold are hard and dense metals which are melleable and ductile.

Pick out the bad conductor of electricity from the following:

  1. copper

  2. steel

  3. impure water

  4. air


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Copper and steel are metals and metals are a good conductor of electricity generally. impure water contains ions which conduct electricity.  

However air is non-metal and they are bad conductor of electricity.

1 kg of iron occupies less space compared to 1 kg of sponge. Why?

  1. Iron has less density than sponge

  2. Iron and sponge have equal densities

  3. Iron has more density than sponge

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
We have 2 materials here in which iron is metal and Sponge is non-metal.
 Metals has usually high density as compared to non-metals.
  and Density*Volume = Mass
  Iron occupies less space because it has high density.