CHAPTER:-3 METAL AND NON-METALS
1. Physical Properties
Property Metals Non-Metals
Appearance Lustrous (shiny) Non-lustrous (except iodine)
Hardness Generally hard Generally soft (except diamond)
Malleability Can be beaten into sheets Not malleable
Ductility Can be drawn into wires Not ductile
Conductivity Good conductors of heat/electricity Poor conductors (except graphite)
Sonorousness Produce ringing sound Do not produce sound
Density High Low (mostly)
State Solid (except mercury) Solid/gas (except bromine)
2. Chemical Properties of Metals
➤ Reaction with Air (Oxygen)
• Metals form metal oxides.
o 4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O
o 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
• Metal oxides are basic in nature. (Some are amphoteric e.g. Al₂O₃)
➤ Reaction with Water
• Potassium (K) and Sodium (Na) react violently:
o 2K + 2H₂O → 2KOH + H₂↑
• Calcium (Ca) reacts slowly:
o Ca + 2H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + H₂↑
• Aluminium, Zinc, Iron react with steam only.
➤ Reaction with Acids
• Metal + Dil. HCl / H₂SO₄ → Salt + H₂ gas
o Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂↑
Note: Copper, Silver, Gold do not react with dilute acids.
➤ Reaction with Bases (Only amphoteric metals like Al, Zn)
• 2Al + 2NaOH + 6H₂O → 2Na[Al(OH)₄] + 3H₂↑
3. Reactivity Series
High Reactivity K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al
Moderate Reactivity Zn, Fe, Pb
Low Reactivity Cu, Hg, Ag, Au
More reactive metal can displace less reactive metal from its salt solution.
Example:
• Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu
4. Occurrence of Metals
➤ In Free State: Less reactive metals (Gold, Platinum)
➤ In Combined State:
• Ores: Naturally occurring minerals from which metals are extracted.
Metal Common Ore
Aluminium Bauxite (Al₂O₃·2H₂O)
Iron Hematite (Fe₂O₃)
Zinc Zinc Blende (ZnS)
5. Metallurgy (Steps to Extract Metals)
(i) Concentration of Ore:
• Removing impurities (gangue) by hydraulic washing, magnetic separation, froth
flotation.
(ii) Calcination / Roasting:
• Calcination: Heating ore in absence of air.
• Roasting: Heating ore in presence of air.
(iii) Reduction:
• Metal oxides reduced using carbon or electrolysis.
(iv) Refining:
• Metals are purified by electrolytic refining.
Electrolytic Refining of Copper:
• Anode → Impure Cu
• Cathode → Pure Cu
• Electrolyte → Acidified CuSO₄
Cu²⁺ ions deposit on cathode, impurities fall as anode mud.
6. Corrosion
• Definition: Gradual destruction of metals by reaction with air, water, etc.
Metal Reaction Appearance
Iron Rusting (Fe₂O₃·xH₂O) Reddish-brown
Copper Cu → CuCO₃·Cu(OH)₂ Greenish layer
Silver Ag + H₂S → Ag₂S Black coating
Prevention of Corrosion:
• Painting
• Oiling/greasing
• Galvanization (Zn coating)
• Alloying
7. Alloys
• A mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and a non-metal.
Alloy Composition Use
Brass Cu + Zn Decoration, electrical work
Bronze Cu + Sn Medals, statues
Solder Pb + Sn Joining wires
Stainless Steel Fe + Cr + Ni Utensils, buildings
