Question

(a) State any three differences between the physical properties of metals and non-metals.

(b) Differentiate between metals and non-metals on the basis of their chemical properties.

(c) State three reasons (of which at least one must be chemical) for believing that sodium is a metal.

(d) State three reasons (of which at least one must be chemical) for believing that sulphur is a non-metal.

(e) Which non-metal has been placed in the reactivity series of metals ?

Answer 1

(a) Difference between metals and non-metals:

Metals

(i) Metals are malleable i.e. they can be beaten into thin sheets with a hammer.

(ii) Metals are ductile i.e. they can be drawn into thin wires.

(iii) Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.

Non-metals

(i) Non-metals are non-malleable i.e. they cannot be beaten into thin sheets with a hammer.

(ii) Non-metals are non-ductile i.e. they cannot be drawn into thin wires.

(iii) Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity.

(b) Difference between metals and non-metals:

Metals

(i) Metals form basic oxides.

(ii) Metals displace hydrogen from water

(iii) Metals displace hydrogen from dilute acids.

Non-metals

(i) Non-metals form acidic or neutral oxides.

(ii) Non-metals do not react with water.

(iii) Non-metals do not react with dilute acids.

(c) Sodium is a solid, it conducts electricity and forms basic oxides.

(d) Sulphur is a non-metal as it is brittle, non-ductile, non-conductor of electricity and forms acidic oxides.

(e) Hydrogen.