SSLC Science – Chapter 3: Metals and Non-Metals | Important Questions & Answers 2025
- Oct 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Metals and Non-Metals is one of the most scoring and frequently asked chapters in Class 10 Science Chapter 3 : Metals and Non-Metals (KSEAB Karnataka Board).
Here are the important questions and answers to help you revise quickly and strengthen your chemistry concepts!
1. Difference Between Metals and Non-Metals
Property | Metals | Non-Metals |
Sonority | Sonorous | Non-sonorous |
Malleability & Ductility | Malleable and ductile | Not malleable or ductile |
Hardness | Generally hard | Mostly soft |
Lustre | Shiny (lustrous) | Dull (except iodine) |
Conductivity | Good conductors of heat and electricity | Poor conductors |
Nature of Oxides | Form basic oxides | Form acidic or neutral oxides |
Reaction with Water | Give hydrogen gas and hydroxides | Usually no reaction |
Reaction with Acids | Give salt and hydrogen gas | Usually no reaction |
Bond Type | Form ionic compounds | Form covalent compounds |
2. Difference Between Malleable and Ductile
Malleable: Ability of metals to be beaten into thin sheets.
Ductile: Ability of metals to be drawn into thin wires.
3. What Are Amphoteric Oxides? Give Examples.
Metal oxides that react with both acids and bases to produce salt and water.
Examples: Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) and Zinc oxide (ZnO)
4. Why Are Sodium and Potassium Stored in Kerosene?
Because both react very vigorously with air and water and can catch fire easily when exposed.
5. Why Doesn’t HNO₃ Give Hydrogen Gas When Reacting with Metals?/Why HNO3 is called strong oxidizing agent
Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent — it oxidizes hydrogen into water and itself gets reduced to nitrogen oxides (N₂O, NO, NO₂).
6. What Is an Ionic Compound? Give Examples.
A compound formed by the transfer of electrons from a metal to a non-metal.
Examples: NaCl, MgCl2
7. Properties of Ionic Compounds
Have high melting and boiling points
Soluble in water, but insoluble in petrol/kerosene
Solid, hard, and brittle
Conduct electricity only in molten or solution state
8. Why Do Ionic Compounds Conduct Electricity Only in Solution?
Because ions move freely only in molten or aqueous (solution) form, not in solid state.
9. Difference Between Roasting and Calcination
Process | Definition | Example |
Roasting | Sulphide ores are heated strongly in presence of excess air to form oxides. | 2ZnS + 3O₂ → 2ZnO + 2SO₂ |
Calcination | Carbonate ores are heated strongly in limited air to form oxides. | ZnCO₃ → ZnO + CO₂ |
10. What Is Thermite Reaction? Give Example and Use.
When iron oxide reacts with aluminium, aluminium displaces iron, forming aluminium oxide and releasing a large amount of heat.
Example: Fe₂O₃ + 2Al → 2Fe + Al₂O₃ + Heat
Use: Used to join railway tracks or repair cracked machine parts.
11. Dram Electrolytic Refining of Copper
Anode: Impure copper
Cathode: Pure copper
Electrolyte: Acidified copper sulphate solution➡ On passing electric current, pure copper is deposited on the cathode.
12. Reactivity Series (Increasing Order) Fe, Ca, Au, K ,Pb
Au < Pb < Fe < Ca < K
13. What Is an Ore?
A mineral from which a metal can be extracted profitably.
14. What Is Corrosion? How Can It Be Prevented?
Corrosion is the deterioration of metals due to air, moisture, or acid exposure.Prevention Methods: Painting, oiling, greasing, galvanising, chrome plating, anodising, or alloying.
15. What Is an Alloy?
A homogeneous mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and a non-metal.Examples:
Brass = Copper + Zinc
Bronze = Copper + Tin
Solder = Lead + Tin
16. What Is Galvanization?
A method of protecting steel and iron from rusting by coating them with a thin layer of zinc.
17. Write the transfer of electron in MgCl2 and NaCl
18. Draw action of steam on metal
Revise the Complete Notes Before Practicing Questions!
Before you start solving these important SSLC questions, make sure you’ve revised the complete chapter notes on Metals and Non-Metals.
Our guide explains all key concepts, chemical reactions, physical and chemical properties, and examples in a simple, student-friendly way.
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