DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL - BOPAL, AHMEDABAD

Study Material
Chapter 3: Metals and Non-metals

Physical properties of metals

METALS NON-METALS
Metals, in their pure state, have a shining surface. They are not shiny and are non-
This property is called metallic lustre. lustrous.
Metals are generally hard. Non-metals are soft except for
diamonds.
Metals can be beaten into thin sheets. This property Non-malleable.
is called malleability.
Gold and Silver are the most malleable metals.
The ability of metals to be drawn into thin wires is Non-ductile.
called ductility.
Gold is the most ductile metal.
A wire of about 2 km in length can be drawn
from one gram of gold.
Non-metals are generally poor
conductors of heat.

The above activity shows that metals are good

conductors of heat and have high melting points.
The best conductors of heat are silver and copper.
Lead and mercury are comparatively poor
conductors of heat.
 Non-metals are poor conductors of
electricity except graphite.

Metals also conduct electricity due to the presence

of electrons.
The metals that produce a sound on striking a hard Non-sonorous.
surface are said to be sonorous.

(i) All metals except mercury exist as solids at room temperature. The metals have high
melting points, but gallium and caesium have very low melting points. These two metals
will melt if you keep them on your palm.
(ii) The non-metals are either solids or gases, except bromine, which is a liquid.
(iii) Iodine is a non-metal but it is lustrous.
(iv) Carbon is a non-metal that can exist in different forms. Each form is called an allotrope.
Diamond, an allotrope of carbon, is the hardest natural substance known and has a very
high melting and boiling point. Graphite, another allotrope of carbon, is a conductor of
electricity.
(v) Alkali metals (lithium, sodium, potassium) are so soft that they can be cut with a knife.
They have low densities and low melting points.

Q. What do you mean by allotropy? Name the allotropes of carbon.

Elements can be more clearly classified as metals and non-metals based on their chemical
properties.

Most non-metals produce acidic oxides when dissolved in water. On the other hand,
most metals give rise to basic oxides.
 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS AND NON-METALS

METALS NON-METALS
1. They loose electrons to form +ve ions. 1. They gain electrons to form –ve ions.
2. Metals combine with oxygen to form basic oxides. 2. Non-metals combine with oxygen to form acidic
Metal + oxygen metal oxide oxides or neutral oxides.
 K, Na catches fire at room temperature. Non-metal + oxygenNon-metal oxide
4K + O2  2K2O • The non-metallic oxides are covalent in
4Na + O2  2Na2O nature (formed by sharing of electrons).
K, Na metals are very reactive. They catch fire immediately when
exposed to air, moisture. So, they are stored under kerosene. C + O2  CO2
 Mg does react only when it is heated. Acidic oxide
2Mg + O2  2MgO
 Al burns in air on heating. S + O2  SO2
4Al + 3O2  2Al2O3 Acidic oxide
 Zn burns in air only on strong heating
2Zn + O2  2ZnO 2H2 + O2  2H2O
 Fe does not burn in air, but iron fillings burn vigorously Neutral oxide
when sprinkled in the flame of a burner.
3Fe + 2O2  Fe3O4 2C + O2  2CO
Iron (II,III)oxide Neutral oxide
 Cu react with oxygen to form copper oxide.
2Cu + O2  2CuO
3. Most metal oxides are insoluble in water. Those metal oxides 3. Acidic oxides of non-metals dissolve in water to
which dissolve in water form alkalis. form acids.
Na2O + H2O  NaOH
K2O + H2O  KOH CO2 + H2O  H2CO3
 NaOH, KOH are alkalis. Carbonic acid
AMPHOTERIC OXIDES: SO2 + H2O  H2SO3
Those metal oxides which show basic as well as acidic behavior Sulphurous acid
are called amphoteric oxides.
E.g. Al and Zn. • Neutral non-metal oxide does not produce
 Amphoteric oxides react with both, acids as well as bases an acid.
to form salts and water.
Al2O3 + 6HCl  2AlCl3 + 3H2O
Al2O3 + 2NaOH  2NaAlO2 + H2O
(Sodium aluminate)
ZnO + 2HCl  ZnCl2 + H2O
ZnO + 2NaOH  Na2ZnO2 + H2O
(sodium zincate)
4.Reaction of metals with water 4. Reaction of Non-metals with water
Metal + water (cold/hot) Metal hydroxide +Hydrogen
 Na and K reacts vigorously with cold water. Non-metal + water no reaction
2K + 2H2O  2KOH + H2  They do not react with water to evolve
2Na + 2H2O  2NaOH + H2 hydrogen gas because they cannot give
• The reaction is highly exothermic, due to which electrons to reduce hydrogen ions of water
hydrogen gas formed in the reaction catches fire. into hydrogen gas.
 Ca reacts with cold water
Ca + 2H2O  Ca(OH)2 + H2
• The heat produced in this reaction is less, which is not
sufficient to burn the hydrogen gas.
• The piece of calcium metal starts floating in water
because the bubbles of hydrogen gas formed during the
reaction stick to its surface.
  Mg does not react with cold water; it reacts with hot
water.
Mg + 2H2O  Mg(OH)2 + H2

Metal + water (steam) Metal oxide +Hydrogen

 Mg reacts very rapidly with steam.
 Mg + H2O  MgO + H2
 Al, Zn and Fe reacts only with steam.
2Al + 3H2O  Al2O3 + 3H2
• Aluminium metal does not react with water under
ordinary conditions because of presence of a thin layer
of aluminium oxide on its surface.
Zn + H2O  ZnO + H2
3Fe + 4H2O  Fe3O4 + 4H2
 Metals such as copper, silver and gold do not react
with water at all.
5. Reaction of metals with dilute acids 5. Reaction of non-metals with dilute acids
Metal + dilute acidMetal salt +Hydrogen Non-metal + dilute acidno reaction
• Metals react with dilute hydrochloric acid to give metal • As non-metals are electron acceptor, they
chlorides and hydrogen gas. cannot give electrons to the hydrogen ions
2Na + 2HCl  2NaCl+ H2 of the acid to reduce them to hydrogen gas.
Mg + 2HCl  MgCl2 + H2
2Al + 6HCl  2AlCl3 + 3H2
• Aluminium metal at first reacts slowly with dilute
hydrochloric acid due to presence of a tough protective
layer of aluminium oxide.
• But when this layer gets dissolved in acid, then fresh
aluminium metal is exposed which react rapidly with
dilute HCl.
Zn + 2HCl  ZnCl2 + H2
Fe + 2HCl  FeCl2 + H2
Cu + HCl  No reaction

• Metals react with dilute sulphuric acid to give metal

sulphates and hydrogen gas.
2Na + H2SO4  Na2SO4 + H2
Mg + H2SO4  MgSO4+ H2
2Al + 3H2SO4  Al2(SO4) 3+ 3H2
Zn + H2SO4  ZnSO4+ H2
Cu + H2SO4  No reaction

 When metals react with nitric acid, hydrogen gas is not

evolved.
Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent. So, as soon as hydrogen gas
is formed in the reaction, nitric acid oxidises this hydrogen to
water.
However, very dilute nitric acid releases hydrogen gas.
Mg + 2HNO3  Mg(NO3)2 + H2
Mn + 2HNO3  Mn(NO3)2 + H2

Aqua regia, (Latin for ‘royal water’) is a freshly prepared

mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and
concentrated nitric acid in the ratio of 3:1. It can dissolve
gold, even though neither of these acids can do so alone.
6. Reaction of metals with salt solutions 6. Reaction of Non-metals with salt solutions
Metal A + Salt solution of B Salt solution of A + Metal B • A more reactive non-metal displaces a less
reactive non-metal from its salt solution.
Cl2 + 2NaBr  2NaCl + Br2

Zn + CuSO4  ZnSO4 + Cu
Colourless
Fe + CuSO4  FeSO4+ Cu
Pale-green
Cu + 2AgNO3  Cu(NO3)2 + 2Ag
Colourless Blue
6. Reaction of metals with hydrogen 6. Reaction of non-metals with hydrogen
• Metals generally do not react with hydrogen. • Non-metals react with hydrogen to form
• Highly reactive metals like ‘Na, K, Ca and Mg’ can react covalent hydrides.
with hydrogen to form hydrides. • This is because they cannot give electrons to
• Hydrides are ionic compounds formed by the transfer of hydrogen atom to form hydride ions.
electrons from metal atoms to hydrogen atoms. • They do not conduct electricity.
Sodium hydride is formed when hydrogen gas is passed over • S + H 2  H2S
heated sodium. • N2 + 3H2  NH3
• 2Na + H2  2NaH • O2 + 2H2  2H2O
Sodium hydride
Calcium hydride is formed when hydrogen gas is passed over Methane is a hydride of carbon and hydrogen.
heated calcium.
• Ca + H2  CaH2
Calcium hydride
7. Reaction of metals with chlorine 7. Reaction of non-metals with chlorine
• Metals react with chlorine to form (metal chlorides) ionic • Non-metals react with chlorine to form
compounds. covalent chlorides.
• 2Na + Cl2  2NaCl (readily) • H2 + Cl2  2HCl
• Ca + Cl2  CaCl2 (vigorously) • P4 + 6Cl2  4PCl3
• Mg + Cl2  MgCl2 (heating) CCl4 is also a covalent chloride formed by carbon and
• 2Al + 3Cl2  2AlCl3 chlorine.
• Zn + Cl2  ZnCl2
• 2Fe + 3Cl2  2FeCl3

Q. Phosphorous is stored in water. Why?

How do metals and non-metals reacts:
• When metals react with non-metals, they form ionic compounds. And when non-
metals react with other non-metals, they form covalent compounds. The force which
links the atoms (or ions) in a molecule is called a chemical bond.

Cause of chemical bonding:

• The atoms combine with one another to achieve the inert gas electron arrangement
and become more stable.

Electron dot structure or Lewis dot structure:

• Pictorial representation of the electron (valence electron)
around an atom.
• This is because only valence electrons of an atom take part
in chemical bonding.

Ionic compounds: The compounds formed by the transfer of

electrons from a metal to a non-metal are known as ionic compounds
or electrovalent compounds. E.g. NaCl, MgCl2 etc.

Properties of ionic compounds:

1. Physical nature:
 Ionic compounds are solids and are somewhat hard. This is because of the strong force of
attraction between the positive and negative ions.

2. Melting & Boiling points:

• Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points. This is because energy is
required to break the strong inter-ionic attraction.

3. Solubility:
• Electrovalent compounds are generally soluble in water and insoluble in solvents such
as kerosene, petrol, etc.

4. Conduction:
• They do not conduct electricity in a solid state because the movement of ions in the
solid is not possible due to their rigid structure. But ionic compounds conduct
electricity in the molten state as ions can be released in molten state also.

Q. Using electron dot structure, explain the formation of:

(a) CaO (b) K2O (c) NaCl (d) CaCl2 (e) MgCl2
(f) Na2O (g) MgO (h) AlN (i) Al2O3

Q. Differentiate between ionic and covalent compounds.

Occurrence of metals:
Native state or in free state: Metals in their free state are found as pure elements, not
chemically bonded to other elements.
Combined state: Metals found in the form of their compounds associated with some other
elements. E.g. oxides, carbonates, sulphides and chlorides.
 The position of a metal in the reactivity series helps in finding whether a metal
will exist in the free state or combined state as a mineral.
 The metals at the top of the activity series (K, Na, Ca, Mg and Al) are so reactive that
they are never found in nature as free elements.
 The metals in the middle of the activity series (Zn, Fe, Pb, etc.) are moderately
reactive. They are found in the Earth’s crust mainly as oxides, sulphides or
carbonates.
 The metals at the bottom of the activity series are the least reactive. They are often
found in a free state. For example, gold, silver, platinum and copper are found in the
free state. Copper and silver are also found in the combined state as their sulphide or
oxide ores.

Q. Mostly ores are found in oxides form. Why?

Ans. It is because oxygen is a very reactive element and is very abundant on the earth.

Q. Differentiate between ores and minerals.

Minerals Ores
The elements or compounds which occur The minerals which contain a very high
naturally in the earth’s crust, are known as percentage of a particular metal, and from
minerals. which the metal can be profitably and
conveniently extracted, are called ores.
Not all Minerals are ores. All ores are minerals.
Minerals may or may not contain a good Ores always contain a good percentage of
percentage of metals. metals.

Gangue or matrix: When the minerals are mined from the earth, they contain silica, mud,
rock pieces, clay, etc as impurities. These impurities are called Gangue or Matrix.
Metal Formula of the compound/ore Name of the ore
Iron Fe2O3 Hametite
Aluminium Al2O3.XH2O Bauxite
Zinc ZnS Zinc blende
ZnCO3 Calamine
Copper Cu2S Copper glance
Sodium NaCl Rock salt
Mercury HgS Cinnabar

Metallurgy: The various processes involved in the extraction of metals from their ores, and
refining are known as metallurgy.

Steps involved in a metallurgical process

1. Concentration of the ore (enrichment of the ores): Removal of gangue
(impurities) from the ores is done by different methods.
2. Extraction of metals: Based on the position of the metal in the reactivity series.
(i) Extraction of metals at the top of the activity series :-
 The oxides of highly reactive metals are very stable, so they cannot be
reduced by heating with carbon or aluminium. Because these metals
have a greater affinity for oxygen than carbon and aluminium.
• If carbon is used, it has to be heated at a very high temperature to obtain
the metal. At such a high temperature, the metals formed combine
with carbon to form their carbides.
• Sodium, magnesium and calcium are obtained by electrolytic reduction
of their molten chlorides.

a) Electrolysis of molten NaCl:-

 Molten NaCl contains :- Sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-).

 The metal is deposited at the cathode (the negatively charged electrode),

whereas chlorine is liberated at the anode (the positively charged electrode).

• The sodium ions take electrons from the cathode & get reduced to form sodium metal.
• At cathode :- Na + + e -  Na (Sodium metal)

• The chloride ions give electrons to the anode and get oxidised to form chlorine gas.
• At anode :- 2Cl -  Cl2 + 2e - (Chlorine gas)

• Final reaction: 2NaCl (current) 2Na + Cl2

Q. We cannot use an aqueous solution of sodium chloride to obtain sodium metal. Why?
Ans. This is because as soon as sodium metal is produced at cathode it will react with
water present in aqueous solution to form NaOH. Also, hydrogen gas is liberated at
cathode. This process is also called as Chlor–alkali process.
b) Electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide:-
• Molten aluminium oxide contains :- Aluminium ions (Al3+) and oxide ions (O2-).

• At cathode: Al3+ + 3e-  Al

• The aluminium ions accept electrons from the cathode and get reduced to form
aluminium metal.

• At anode: 2O2-  O2 + 4e-

• The oxide ions give electrons to the anode & get oxidised to form oxygen gas.

• Final reaction: 2Al2O3 4Al + 3O2

ii) Extraction of metals in the middle of the activity series :-

 The metals in the middle of the activity series, such as iron, zinc, lead, copper, etc.,
are moderately reactive. These are usually present as sulphides or carbonates in
nature.
 It is easier to obtain a metal from its oxide, as compared to its sulphides and
carbonates. Therefore, before reduction, the metal sulphides and carbonates must be
converted into metal oxides.

Ways to convert sulphides and carbonate ores into oxides:

1. Roasting:- is heating of an ore in the presence of oxygen. It is used to convert
suphide ores into oxide form. SO2 gas is produced during this process.

2. Calcination:- is heating of an ore in absence of oxygen. It is used to convert

carbonate ores into oxide form. CO2 gas is produced during this process.

 The metal oxides are then reduced to the corresponding metals by using suitable
reducing agents such as carbon. For example, when zinc oxide is heated with
carbon, it is reduced to metallic zinc.

 The highly reactive metals, such as sodium, calcium, aluminium, etc., are used as
reducing agents because they can displace metals of lower reactivity from their
compounds.
E.g.
• The reduction of manganese dioxide with aluminium is a highly exothermic reaction.
A lot of heat is evolved, due to which manganese metal is produced in the molten
state.

• Note: Aluminium is an expensive reducing agent as compared to carbon (coke).

Thermite reaction
• Reduction of metal oxide with aluminium is also used to join railway tracks or
cracked machine parts.
iii) Extraction of metals low in the activity series :-
• They are obtained by the reduction of their oxides by heating in air.
• Cinnabar (HgS) is an ore of mercury. When it is heated in air, it is first converted into
mercuric oxide (HgO). Mercuric oxide is then reduced to mercury on further
heating.

 Copper, which is found as Cu2S in nature, can be obtained from its ore by just heating
in air.

3. Refining of metals:
 The metals produced by various reduction processes described above are not very
pure. They contain impurities, which must be removed to obtain pure metals.
 The most widely used method for refining impure metals is electrolytic refining.
 Many metals, such as copper, zinc, tin, nickel, silver, gold, etc., are refined
electrolytically.

Electrolytic refining of copper:

• A thick block of the impure metal is made anode (positive terminal of the battery).
• A thin strip of pure metal is made at cathode.
• A water-soluble salt (of the metal to be refined) is taken as
an electrolyte.

• On passing the current through the electrolyte, impure

metal dissolves from the anode and goes into the
electrolyte solution.
• An equivalent amount of pure metal from the electrolyte
deposits on the cathode.
• The soluble impurities present in the impure metal go into
the solution, whereas, the insoluble impurities settle down
at the bottom of the anode and are known as anode mud.

• CuSO4 solution contains Cu2+ and SO42- ions.

• As the process goes on, the impure anode becomes thinner and thinner, whereas pure
cathode becomes thicker and thicker.
• At anode: Cu – 2e-  Cu2+ (goes into electrolyte)
• At cathode: Cu2+ + 2e-  Cu

Q. What is the difference between electrolytic reduction and electrolytic refining?

Corrosion:
• When a metal is attacked by substances around it, such as moisture, acids or air, etc.,
it is said to corrode. This process is called corrosion.
• Corrosion is the opposite of the extraction of metals.

Corrosion of aluminium:
• When aluminium vessel is exposed to moist air, the oxygen of the air reacts with
aluminium to form a thin, dull layer of aluminium oxide.
• This aluminium oxide layer is very tough and prevents the metal underneath from
further corrosion. Thus, corrosion is sometimes also useful.
• The resistance of aluminium metal can be improved further by making this
oxide layer thicker. This is done by anodising.

Corrosion of copper:
• When a copper vessel is exposed to moist air for long, it acquires a dull green coating.
• The green material is a mixture of Cu(OH) 2 (copper hydroxide) and CuCO3 (copper
carbonate). Also called basic copper carbonate.
• The corroded copper vessels can be cleaned with a dilute acid solution.
Corrosion of silver:
• When silver is exposed to moist air, it gets tarnished and turns black. This is because
it reacts with sulphur in the air to form silver sulphide.
Corrosion of iron:
• When an iron object is left in damp air (or water) for a considerable time, it gets
covered with a red-brown flaky substance called rust.
• This is called rusting of iron.

Condition necessary for rusting

• Two conditions are necessary for rusting of iron.
i) Presence of oxygen (of air)
ii) Presence of water or water vapour (moisture)
How to prevent rusting
1. By applying a coat of paint, oil or grease.

2. By depositing a layer of a metal like chromium: This is called chrome-plating.

Chromium metal is resistant to the action of air, moisture and has a shiny appearance.

3. By depositing a layer of a metal like tin: This is called tin-plating. Tin is used for
plating tiffin-boxes because it is non-poisonous and hence does not contaminate the
food kept in them.

4. By galvanization: The process of depositing a layer of zinc on iron is called

galvanisation.

Q. The galvanised article is protected against rusting even if the zinc coating is broken.
Why?
Ans. The galvanized iron object remains protected against rusting even if a break
occurs in the zinc layer. Because zinc is more electropositive than iron so it get easily
oxidised than iron.

5. By alloying: An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals, or a

metal and a nonmetal.

How are they prepared?

 It is prepared by first melting the primary metal, & then, dissolving the other
elements in it in definite proportions. It is then cooled to room temperature.

• Importance of Alloying?
• Pure iron is very soft, so it stretches easily when hot. But when a small amount of
carbon (varying from 0.1 to 1.5%) is mixed with iron, it becomes hard and strong.

• Properties change while alloying:

• Alloys are stronger than the metals from which they are made.
• They are harder.
• Resistant to corrosion.
• Have lower melting points than the constituent metals. E.g. Solder, an alloy of lead and
tin (Pb and Sn), has a low melting point and is used for welding electrical wires together.
• Have lower electrical conductivity. E.g. Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc (Cu and Zn),
and bronze, an alloy of copper and tin (Cu and Sn), are not good conductors of electricity,
whereas copper is used for making electrical circuits.

• Steel – Iron, carbon

Stainless steel – iron, chromium, nickel, carbon
Brass – copper, zinc
Bronze – copper, tin
Solder – Lead, tin

• If one of the metals is mercury, then the alloy is known as an amalgam.

• Pure gold, known as 24-carat gold, is very soft. It is, therefore, not suitable for making
jewellery. It is alloyed with either silver or copper to make it hard.
• Generally, in India, 22-carat gold is used for making ornaments. It means that 22 parts
of pure gold is alloyed with 2 parts of either copper or silver.
Q. Give reasons why copper is used to make hot water tanks and not steel (an alloy of
iron).