Metals and Non-Metals – Difference, Properties, and Quiz PDF

Introduction

Metals and non metals are the base of our world, they are part of everything from infrastructure to the devices we use daily. Whether it’s the steel in skyscrapers or the oxygen we breathe, both have different properties that distinguish them. Understanding the difference between metals and non metals is important not only for science students but for anyone curious about the building blocks of matter. In this post we will go through the main differences and properties of metals and non metals and then a quiz to test your knowledge.

Metals and Non-Metals Difference

The simplest difference between metals and non metals is in their physical and chemical properties. Here are the main differences:

1. Physical Appearance

   • Metals: Shiny, has metallic lustre. Most metals are solid at room temperature (except mercury), so they look robust and heavy.
   • Non-Metals: Dull in appearance and can be solid, liquid or gas at room temperature. For example sulphur (solid), bromine (liquid), nitrogen (gas) are all non metals.

2. Conductivity

   • Metals: Good conductors of heat and electricity due to free movement of electrons in their structure. This property makes them suitable for electrical wiring and cooking utensils.
   • Non-Metals: Poor conductors of heat and electricity, they don’t have free electrons. Non metals like plastic are used as insulators in electrical circuits.

3. Malleability and Ductility

   • Metals: Highly malleable and ductile, can be hammered into thin sheets (malleable) or drawn into wires (ductile). This property makes metals essential in construction and manufacturing.
   • Non-Metals: Brittle when solid and can’t be drawn into wires or hammered into sheets without breaking. They crumble under force rather than bend.

4. Density and Strength

   • Metals: Dense and strong, so used in heavy machinery and buildings. For example iron and steel are used to build cars and structures due to their strength.
   • Non Metals: Less dense and generally weaker than metals. Non metals are used in lightweight applications like plastics or gases.

5. Reaction with Oxygen

   • Metals: React with oxygen to form metal oxides which are generally basic in nature. For example when iron reacts with oxygen it forms iron oxide, commonly known as rust.
   • Non-Metals: React with oxygen to form non metal oxides which are acidic in nature. For example sulphur reacts with oxygen to produce sulphur dioxide, an acidic gas.

6. Sonority

   • Metals: Metals produce ringing sound when struck, so they are sonorous. This property is why metals are used in bells and musical instruments.
   • Non-Metals: Non sonorous, they don’t produce sound when struck.

So now you know the difference between metals and non metals. This helps you understand why they are used in different industries and applications.

Differences Between Metals And Non-metals

A reactivity series is a vital tool for chemists. It helps us to understand the properties of metals and the differences between them.

Metals and Non-Metals Properties

Now let’s dive deeper into the properties of metals and non-metals:

1. Properties of Metals
   • Electrical Conductivity: Metals like copper and aluminium are used in electrical wiring because they are good conductors.
   • Thermal Conductivity: Metals can conduct heat quickly which is why they are used in cooking pots and pans.
   • Shiny: Metals have a reflective surface so they look good and are used in jewellery.
   • High Melting and Boiling Points: Metals can withstand high temperatures so they are used in construction and heavy machinery.
   • Corrosion Resistance: Some metals like gold and platinum don’t react with air or water and are corrosion resistant.
   • Sonorous: As mentioned earlier metals produce sound when struck which is used in making musical instruments and bells.
2. Properties of Non-Metals
   • Poor Conductors of Heat and Electricity: Non-metals like rubber and plastic are used as insulators in electrical wiring and appliances.
   • Brittleness: Non-metals break when pressure is applied which is why they are not used in heavy duty applications.
   • Low Melting and Boiling Points: Most non-metals have lower melting and boiling points than metals.
   • Non-Sonorous: Non-metals don’t produce sound when hit.
   • Form of Matter: Non-metals can exist in all three states of matter—solid (e.g. sulphur), liquid (e.g. bromine), gas (e.g. oxygen).
   • Reactivity with Oxygen: Non-metals form acidic oxides when they react with oxygen, e.g. carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).

Applications of Metals and Non-Metals

Both metals and non-metals have many applications in different sectors because of their properties. Here are some examples:

Metals:

• Used in construction for beams, girders and nails.
• Used in electrical appliances and wires.
• Used in automobiles and airplanes.
• Used in jewellery industry for making gold, silver and platinum ornaments.

Non Metals:

• Fertilizers use non-metals like nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Respiration and industrial processes use oxygen.
• Industries use sulphur to make sulphuric acid, one of the most important industrial chemicals.
• Balloons use non-metal gases like helium, and advertising signs use neon.

Summary

In short, metals and non-metals are the building blocks of matter and are used in daily life, industrial applications and environment. Their properties—electrical conductivity, malleability and reactivity—make them suitable for different tasks from building skyscrapers to insulating electrical wires. Students, professionals and anyone interested in the materials that make up our world should know these differences.

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Metals and Non-Metals Quiz

If you’re looking to test your knowledge, the quiz below will help reinforce your understanding of the topic. PDF quiz has been developed by us to assess your comprehension of the subject matter.

1.Which of the following is a property of metals?

a) Poor conductor of heat

b) Malleable

c) Brittle

d) Low melting point
Answer: b) Malleable

2. Which of the following is a non metal?

a) Copper

b) Sulphur

c) Aluminium

d) Zinc
Answer: b) Sulphur

3. Metals react with oxygen to form:

a) Acidic oxides

b) Basic oxides

c) Neutral oxides

d) None of the above
Answer: b) Basic oxides

4. Which property is NOT a characteristic of non metals?

a) Low conductivity

b) Brittle

c) High density

d) Low melting and boiling points
Answer: c) High density

5. What is the state of mercury at room temperature?

a) Solid

b) Liquid

c) Gas

d) Plasma
Answer: b) Liquid

6. Which metal is used in making electrical wires due to its high conductivity?

a) Zinc

b) Iron

c) Copper

d) Lead
Answer: c) Copper

7. Non-metals typically react with oxygen to form:

a) Basic oxides

b) Acidic oxides

c) Salts

d) Neutral oxides
Answer: b) Acidic oxides

8. Which of the following is a poor conductor of electricity?

a) Iron

b) Silver

c) Plastic

d) Aluminium
Answer: c) Plastic

9. Which property allows metals to be hammered into thin sheets?

a) Ductility

b) Malleability

c) Conductivity

d) Sonority
Answer: b) Malleability

10. What is the property of metals that allows them to be drawn into wires?

a) Hardness

b) Brittleness

c) Ductility

d) Conductivity
Answer: c) Ductility

11. Which of the following is NOT a use of non metals?

a) Insulation in electrical wires

b) Building materials

c) Fuel combustion

d) Fertilizers
Answer: b) Building materials

12. Metals are generally:

a) Dull in appearance

b) Poor conductors of heat

c) Sonorous

d) Brittle
Answer: c) Sonorous

13. Non metals that are gaseous at room temperature include:

a) Nitrogen

b) Magnesium

c) Iron

d) Silver
Answer: a) Nitrogen

14. Which of the following metals is the least reactive?

a) Potassium

b) Sodium

c) Gold

d) Magnesium
Answer: c) Gold

15. Which non-metal is essential for respiration?

a) Carbon

b) Oxygen

c) Nitrogen

d) Phosphorus
Answer: b) Oxygen

16. What is the main component of steel?

a) Copper

b) Iron

c) Zinc

d) Aluminium
Answer: b) Iron

17. Which of the following is NOT a physical property of non-metals?

a) Poor conductivity

b) Ductility

c) Brittle when solid

d) Low density
Answer: b) Ductility

18. The oxide formed when carbon reacts with oxygen is:

a) Carbon monoxide

b) Carbon dioxide

c) Carbon tetroxide

d) Carbon sulphide
Answer: b) Carbon dioxide

19. The metal commonly used in the construction of aircraft is ?

a) Aluminium

b) Lead

c) Zinc

d) Mercury
Answer: a) Aluminium

20. Which of the following is an example of a non-metal used in fertilizers?

a) Zinc

b) Sulphur

c) Phosphorus

d) Aluminium
Answer: c) Phosphorus

With this quiz, you can assess how well you understand the properties and differences between metals vs nonmetals. For more in-depth learning, explore chemistry courses or interactive learning platforms that offer quizzes, exercises, and more practical lessons on this topic.

This post gave you a clear understanding of the differences, properties, and applications of metals and nonmetals. Stay tuned for more quizzes and interactive content to deepen your knowledge.

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