Chapter 4
The World of Metals and Non metals
→ Metals and non-metals are the sub-categories of substances called elements. Most of the elements
are metals.
→ Element: Substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. They are the building
blocks of all matter. Presently, there are 118 elements known. Some of them are naturally occurring,
while some others are artificially made in laboratories.
→ Some materials, such as plastic, glass, wood, rubber and paper, are not classified as metals or non-
metals because they are not elements.
→ Physical Properties of Metals:
Lustre: Metals in the pure state generally shine. This shine on the metallic surface is called
metallic lustre.
Malleability: The property of metals that allows them to be beaten into thin sheets. For
example, silver metal is beaten to make silver foil for decorating sweets. Gold and silver are the
most malleable metals.
Ductility: The property of metals that allows them to be drawn into wires. For example, copper
and iron can be drawn into wires. Gold and silver are the most ductile metals.
Sonority: The property of metals that allows them to produce a ringing sound.
Conductivity: The property of a material that allows heat or electricity to pass through it.
Physical state: All metals are solid at room temperature, except mercury, which is the only metal
that is liquid at room temperature.
Hardness: Most metals are hard, except sodium and potassium. These two metals are so soft
that they can be cut with a knife.
Examples of metals: Iron, copper, gold, aluminium, silver, calcium etc.
→ Physical Properties of Non-metals:
Non-metals do not possess metallic lustre.
Non-metals are neither malleable nor ductile.
Solid non-metals are soft and dull.
Non-metals are brittle. They break down into pieces when tapped with a
hammer. For example, coal and sulphur.
Non-metals are non-sonorous.
Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
Phosphorus, sulphur, carbon, oxygen, etc. are examples of non-metals.
→ Chemical Properties of Metals:
Metals (except gold and silver, which are noble metals) react with oxygen to
form metallic oxides.
Generally, metallic oxides are basic in nature. They turn red litmus paper to
blue.
Sodium reacts vigorously with oxygen and water. Hence, it is stored in
kerosene oil.
Rusting of iron: The process of formation of rust on objects made of iron.
Rust: A brown deposit that forms on the surface of iron Rusting of iron
objects due to moist air.
The presence of both air and water is responsible for the formation of
rust,
Rusting of iron can be prevented by using methods like painting, oiling,
greasing or galvanisation (applying a protective layer of zinc on iron
metal).
Corrosion: The gradual deterioration of metal surfaces caused by air, water or other
substances.
Discolouration of other metals in the open atmosphere: Silver turns black, and
copper turns green.
→ Chemical Properties of Non-metals:
Non-metals react with oxygen to form non- metallic oxides.
Non-metallic oxides are generally acidic in nature. They turn blue litmus
paper to red.
Sulphur burns in air (oxygen), it forms sulphur dioxide gas. On dissolving
sulphur dioxide gas in water, it forms sulphurous acid.
Some non-metals, like phosphorus, react with the air. It catches fire if
exposed to atmospheric air. Thus, phosphorus is stored in water.
→ Uses of Metals:
Metals are used in making jewellery.
Metals are used to make thin sheets and wires for various purposes.
Metals are used in making electrical wires.
Metals are used in making machinery, utensils, industrial gadgets, electrical
equipments, etc.
→ Uses of Non-metals in Everyday Life:
Oxygen is essential for respiration, and we cannot survive without it.
Carbon is the building block of all life forms. It is a key component of
proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which are needed for growth and energy.
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for the growth of plants. It is used in the
manufacturing of fertilisers and other chemicals.
Chlorine is used in water purification.
A solution of iodine is used as an antiseptic for wounds.
Properties of Materials
Malleability
Let us explore
Caution – Conduct this activity under the supervision of your teacher or an adult.
Collect some waste pieces of copper and aluminium, an iron nail, a piece of
coal, a pea-sized lump of sulfur (gandhak), and a block of wood.
Recall the chapter ‘Materials Around Us’ in the Grade 6 Science textbook
Curiosity and observe the appearances of the above items. Are they lustrous?
Also, note whether they are hard or soft and record your observations.
Now, place each of these items one by one on any hard surface and beat
them with a hammer (Fig. 4.2).
What do you think will happen? Do the objects become slightly flattened or
do they break into pieces?
Record your observations.
A piece of coal or a lump of sulfur does not show
this behaviour. They break into pieces and are said to
be brittle. On the other hand, wood neither gets
flattened into a sheet nor breaks into pieces.
Therefore, wood is neither malleable nor brittle.
Holistic Lens
The impact of iron on the progress of civilisation of India
In the Grade 6 Social Science textbook Exploring Society India and Beyond, you learnt about the
Harappans. They knew how to use metals like copper and gold. They used these metals to make
various objects, from utensils to jewellery. However, you would hardly find any evidence of the
Harappans using a very prominent metal iron, which you see a lot around you today. This is because it
took a long time before iron was used in day-to-day activities.
However, once the use of iron gained prominence in the times that followed, it contributed
significantly to the progress of civilisation in India. For instance, due to its strength, agricultural tools
like ploughs made from iron were much superior to those used previously.
What could be the potential reason that it is generally considered that copper was discovered earlier
as compared to iron?
Ductility
Where do you find the use of metal wires?
You might have seen wires of metals like copper or aluminium in electrical fittings. Some ornaments,
like bangles, necklaces, earrings, etc., are also made from metal wires. Metal wires play important
functions in a variety of stringed musical instruments, such as veena, sitar, violin, and guitar.
This property of materials by which they can be drawn into wires is called ductility.
This property of ductility is mainly possessed by metals.
Have you ever seen wires made of coal or sulfur? Obviously not! We can say that coal and sulfur are
not ductile.
Do you know that ropes made of steel [a mixture of metal (iron) and non-metal (carbon)] wires can
support heavy loads? Therefore, they are used in suspension bridges and in cranes to lift heavy
objects.
Sonority
Have you ever noticed the sound produced when a metal spoon, or a metal plate, or a metal coin is
dropped on the floor? How is it different from the sound produced when a piece of coal or wood is
dropped on the floor?
Let us investigate
Caution — Be careful while dropping the objects.
Take a few objects, such as a metal spoon, a coin, a piece of coal, and a block of wood.
Drop them one by one from a certain height.
Do you notice any diff erence in the sound produced by these objects?
You would observe that the metal spoon and the metal coin produce a ringing sound. Coal and wood,
on the other hand, produce dull sounds.
This property of metals that enables them to produce a ringing sound is called sonority, and metals are
said to be sonorous in nature.
Conduction of heat
Have you ever observed the vessels used for cooking in the kitchen? You might have noticed that the
vessels used for heating are made of metals. Can you name some metals that are used for making
cooking vessels? Do you know why these metals are used for this purpose?
Let us find out!
Let us investigate
Caution—This activity must be performed under the supervision of your teacher or an adult. Be careful
while handling hot water.
Place a glass tumbler on a table.
Fill it with hot water.
Take a metal spoon and a wooden spoon of almost the same size and thickness.
Immerse both the spoons simultaneously into the hot water (Figure) and leave them undisturbed for a
few minutes.
Now, carefully touch the upper end of each spoon.
Conduction of electricity
Have you ever seen an electrician using a screwdriver? What type of material is used for making its
handle? You may have also noticed the electrician wearing rubber gloves and shoes while working.
What can be the reason for this?
Effect of Air and Water on Metals: Iron
You would have often noticed that iron objects develop brown deposits
when left in the open for a few days. In which conditions would an iron
object develop brown deposits?
When it comes into contact with dry air only.
When it comes into contact with water only.
When it comes into contact with both air and water.
Caution — Be careful while handling iron nails.
