Class X Science (Chemistry)

Metals and Non-Metals

Chapter Notes

Earth is an abundant source of materials

There are about 105 elements, 92 of which are naturally occurring.
Metals and non-metals are characterized by distinctly different physical and chemical
properties.
At present about 80 metals are known to us.
Though the non-metals are only 22 in number, they are the major constituents of earth,
air and oceans.
At room temperature, over half of the non-metals are gases, except bromine, which is a
liquid.
The most abundant non-metal in the earth's crust is oxygen
The next abundant non metal is silicon
Oxygen and silicon are the two major constituents of earth.
Hydrogen and oxygen are the two major constituents of the oceans.

Position of Metals and Non-metals in the Periodic Table

Metals occupy the groups on the left of the periodic table.

Group IA consists of highly reactive metals called the alkali metals,
Group II A elements are called alkaline earth metals.
Elements between group IIA and IIIA are all called transition metals.
The non-metals are elements (with the exception of hydrogen) that are found to the right
on the Periodic Table
The metalloids are a group of elements which have properties similar to both the metals
and non-metals.
These metalloids are: Boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium and
astatine.

Physical Properties of Metals

Metals are solids at room temperature with the exception of mercury, which are liquids at
room temperature.
Metals have lustre and can be polished e.g., gold, silver and copper.
Malleability -Metals have the ability to withstand hammering and can be made into thin
sheets known as foils.
Ductility - Metals can be drawn into wires.
Hardness - All metals are hard except sodium and potassium, which are soft and can be
cut with a knife.
Valency Metals have 1 to 3 electrons in the outermost shell of their atoms.

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Metals and Non-Metals

Chapter Notes

Conduction - Metals are good conductors because they have free electrons. Silver and
copper are the two best conductors of heat and electricity. Lead is the poorest conductor
of heat. Bismuth, mercury and iron are also poor conductors
Density - Metals have high density and are very heavy. Iridium and osmium have the
highest densities where as lithium has the lowest density.
Melting and Boiling Point Metals have high melting and boiling point. Tungsten has
the highest melting point where as silver has low boiling point. Sodium and potassium
have low melting points.
Electropositive Character -Metals are elements that have a tendency to lose electrons and
form cations. .

Physical Properties of Non-metals

Most of the non-metals exist gases (oxygen) and solids (carbon). Only liquid non metal is
Bromine.
These have no shine or lustre.
Non-metals are very brittle, and cannot be stretched into wires or beaten up into sheets.
Conduction -They are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
Electronegative Character - Non-metals have a tendency to gain or share electrons with
other atoms. They are electronegative in character.
They generally form acidic or neutral oxides with oxygen.
Chemical Properties of Metals
Metals are Electropositive Elements
Metals are very reactive.
Metals loose electrons easily and form positively charged ions(cations); therefore metals
are called electropositive elements.
1. Reaction of Metals with Oxygen
Metals like sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are some of the most reactive metals.
Potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium and magnesium react with oxygen and burn in air.
Sodium metal reacts with the oxygen of the air at room temperature to form sodium
oxide.
Hence, sodium is stored under kerosene to prevent its reaction with oxygen,
4Na
+ O2
2Na 2 O
Sodium
Oxygen
Sodium Oxide
Sodium oxide is a basic oxide which reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide.
Na 2 O
+
H2O

2NaOH
Sodium Oxide
Sodium hydroxide
Mg does not react with oxygen at room temperature. On heating, Mg burns in air with
intense light and heat to form MgO.
Heat
2Mg + O

2 MgO
2

Magnesium Oxygen
Magnesium oxide
Zinc metal burns in air only on strong heating to form zinc oxide.
Zinc Oxygen

Magnesium oxide

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Metals and Non-Metals

Iron metal does not burn in dry air even on strong heating. In moist air, iron is oxidized to
give rust.
3Fe
+ 2O 2 + xH 2 O
Fe 3 O 4 .xH 2 O
Iron
moist air
Iron (II, III) oxide
On heating in air it burns with a brilliant flame forming triferric tetroxide.
Heat
3Fe + 2O

Fe O
2

Chapter Notes

Copper is the least reactive metal and does not burn in air even on heating. However, on
prolonged strong heating copper reacts with oxygen and forms copper (II) oxide (CuO)
outside and copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) inside.
Heat
2Cu + O

2CuO
2

Copper

Oxygen

Copper (II) oxide

Gold and platinum do not react with oxygen in air.

2. Reaction of Metals with Water

Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium react with cold water.
Sodium reacts vigorously with cold water forming sodium hydroxide and hydrogen.
2Na + H 2 O 2 NaOH + H 2
Metals from magnesium to iron in the activity series of metals, react with steam (but not
water) to form the metal oxide and hydrogen gas.

2Mg + H 2 O
Magnesium
Steam
2Al +
Aluminium

3 H2 O
Steam

MgO +
H2
Magnesium oxide Hydrogen

Al 2 O 3
+
Aluminium oxide

3 H2
Hydrogen

Zn +
H2O
ZnO +
H2
Zinc
Steam
Zinc oxide
Hydrogen
Red hot iron reacts with steam to form Iron (II, III) oxide.
Fe +
H2O
Fe2O3
Red hot Iron
Steam
Iron III oxide

3. Reaction of Metals with Acids

Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium react violently with dilute H2SO4 and dilute HCl,
forming the metal salt (either sulphate or chloride) and hydrogen gas.
The reaction is similar to the reaction with water.

2Na +
2HCl (dil)
2NaCl +
H2
Sodium Hydrochloric acid
Sodium Chloride Hydrogen

Magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, tin and lead react safely with dilute acid. Magnesium
is the fastest and lead is the slowest of the six.

Mg
+
H 2 SO 4
Magnesium
Sulphuric acid

MgSO 4
+
H2
Magnesium sulphate Hydrogen

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Metals and Non-Metals

Chapter Notes

Mg
+
2HCl

MgCl 2
+
H2
Magnesium Hydrochloric acid
Magnesium chloride Hydrogen

Zn
Zinc

H 2 SO 4
Sulphuric acid

Fe
Iron

2HCl

FeCl 2
+
H2
Hydrochloric acid
Iron (II) chloride
Hydrogen

ZnSO 4
Zinc sulphate

H2
Hydrogen

Zinc with dilute sulphuric acid is often used for the laboratory preparation of hydrogen.
The reaction is slow at room temperature, but its rate can be increased by the addition of a
little copper (II) sulphate. Zinc displaces copper metal, which acts as a catalyst.
Metals below hydrogen (copper, silver, gold and platinum), will not react with dilute acid.
They cannot displace hydrogen from the non-metal anion.
Hydrochloric acid makes a metal chloride.
Sulphuric acid makes a metal sulphate.
Reactions with nitric acid are more complex, the nitrate is formed but the gas is rarely
hydrogen, and more often, an oxide of nitrogen.

4. Reaction of Metals with Salt Solutions

Reactive metals can displace any metal less reactive than itself, from the oxide, chloride
or sulphate of the less reactive metal in solution or their molten state.
If metal A displaces metal B from its solution, it is more reactive than B.
Metal A
Iron

Salt Solution of B

+ Copper (II) sulphate

Salt solution of A
Iron (II) sulphate

+ Metal B
+

copper

Copper (II) sulphate solution is blue; iron sulphate solution is almost colourless when
dilute.
During the displacement, the blue solution loses its colour and the iron metal is seen to
turn pink-brown as the displaced copper becomes deposited on it.
On heating the mixture of magnesium powder and black copper (II) oxide, white
magnesium oxide is formed with brown bits of copper:
Heat
Mg + CuO

MgO + Cu
Adding magnesium to blue copper (II) sulphate solution, the blue colour fades as
colourless magnesium sulphate is formed and brown bits of copper metal form a
precipitate:

Mg + CuSO 4
MgSO 4 + Cu
The Reactivity Series of Metals
Although most metals are usually electropositive in nature and lose electrons in a
chemical reaction they do not react with the same vigour or intensity.
Metals display different reactions towards different substances.
The greater the ease with which an element loses its electrons and acquires a positive
charge, the greater is its reactivity.
The greater the number of shells and lesser the number of valence electrons, the greater is
the reactivity of the metal.

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Metals and Non-Metals

Chapter Notes

The activity series of metals, arranges all metals in order of their decreasing chemical
activity.
As we go down the activity series from potassium to gold the ease with which a metal
loses electrons, and forms positive ions in solutions, decreases.
The most active metal, potassium, is at the top of the list and the least reactive metal,
gold, is at the bottom of the list.
Although hydrogen is a non-metal it is included in the activity series due to the fact that it
behaves like a metal in most chemical reactions i.e., the hydrogen ion has a positive
charge [H+] like other metals.

The higher the metal in the series, the more reactive it is i.e., its reaction is fast and more
exothermic.
This also implies that the reverse reaction becomes more difficult i.e., the more reactive a
metal, the more difficult it is to extract from its ore.
The metal is also more susceptible to corrosion with oxygen and water.
The reactivity series can be established by observation of the reaction of metals with
water, oxygen or acids.
Two non-metals, carbon and hydrogen are important chemical reference points with
regard to the method of metal extraction and reactivity towards acids.
Metals above carbon cannot be extracted by carbon reduction and are usually extracted
by electrolysis.
Metals below hydrogen will not displace hydrogen from acids:

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Metals and Non-Metals

Chapter Notes

Occurrence of Metals
Minerals and Ores
Metals and their compounds are found in earth as natural elements known as minerals.
Ores are minerals from which metals are extracted profitably and conveniently.
Ores contain metal compounds with a lower percentage of impurities.
All the ores are minerals, but all minerals are not necessarily ores.
Common Ores
Metal

Ore

Chemical name of the Ore

Sodium (Na)

Rock salt

Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

Aluminium (Al)

Bauxite

Aluminium oxide (Al2O3.2H2O)

Zinc (Zn)

1. Calamine
2. Zinc blende

Iron (Fe)
Copper (Cu)

Haematite
1. Cuprite

Zinc Carbonate (ZnCO3)

Zinc Sulphide (ZnS)
Iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3)
Copper (I) oxide (Cu2O)

2. Copper glance

Copper (I) Sulphide (Cu2S)

Mercury (Hg)

Cinnabar

Mercury (II) sulphide (HgS)

Manganese (Mn)

Pyrolusite

Manganese dioxide (MnO2)

In the Free State

Very few metals exist in the free or native state.
Only metals like gold, platinum and mercury are occasionally found in the free state i.e.,
in the pure form.
Sometimes, copper and silver may also be found in the free state.
Such metals are not acted upon by air or water.
In the Combined State
The rest of the metals occur in the combined form as compounds such as oxides,
carbonates, sulphides, sulphates, silicates, chlorides, nitrates, phosphates etc.
Copper and silver are two metals which occur in free as well as combined state as
sulphide, oxide or halide ores.
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
Extraction of Metals - Metallurgy
The compounds of various metals found in nature as ores are mixed with impurities like
sand and rock.
The various processes involved in the extraction of metals from their ores and their
subsequent refining are known as metallurgy.
An overview of various processes involved during metallurgy is given below.

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Chapter Notes

Concentration (Enrichment of Ores)

Ore is an impure metal containing large amount of sand and rocky material.
The impurities like sand, rocky materials, limestone, mica etc present in the ore is called
gangue or matrix.
These impurities must be removed from the ore before the extraction of the metal.
The processes used for removing the gangue from the ore are based on the differences
between the physical or chemical properties of the gangue and the ore.
First the ore is crushed to powder. Then the ore is separated by physical processes like
hydraulic washing (gravity separation), froth-floatation, and magnetic separation or by
chemical processes, depending on the nature of the ore and its impurities.
Hydraulic washing is used to concentrate oxide ores of heavy metals like Lead and Tin.
The method is based on difference in density of the ore and the impurities.
Froth Floatation is used to concentrate sulphide ores of metals like Copper and Zinc
.This method is based on the principle that the particles of sulphide ore get wetted by oil
and of the impurities by water. Oil forms froth which is light and so floats and can be
removed .Impurities get heavy and settle down.
Magnetic Separation is used when one , either ore or the impurities are magnetic.
Chemical Separation is used based on the different properties shown by the ore and the
impurities.
Concentration of the ore is also known as 'dressing' or 'enrichment' of ore.

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Chapter Notes

Extraction of Metals
A. Extraction of Least reactive Metals (Lower in the reactivity Series)
Metals that are lower in the reactivity series are very un-reactive.
The oxides of these metals can be reduced to metals by heating alone.
For example, mercury is obtained from its ore, cinnabar (HgS), by the process of heating.

Copper can also be obtained in a similar manner from its sulphide ore (Cu2S).

B. Extraction of Moderately reactive Metals

Metals such as iron, zinc, lead, copper, etc., are in the middle of the reactivity series.
These are moderately reactive metals and are usually present as sulphides or carbonates.
A metal is obtained from its ore by the processes of reduction .
It is easier to reduce an oxide ore as compared to its sulphides and carbonates.
So the sulphides and carbonate ores are converted in to oxides first.
Oxide ore are obtained by the process of calcination or roasting.
Roasting
Sulphide ores are converted into oxides by heating strongly in the presence of excess
air, so that oxygen gets added to form the corresponding oxides.
Sulphur impurities escape as gas. This process is known as roasting.

Calcination
In this process the ore is heated to a high temperature in the absence of air, or where
air does not take part in the reaction.
Usually, carbonate ores or ores containing water are calcined to drive out carbonate and
moisture impurities.

The differences between roasting and calcination are given below:

Roasting

Calcination

1. Heating in the presence of air

1. Heating in the absence of air

2. Sulphide ores are roasted

2. Carbonate ores are calcined

3. Sulphur dioxide is released

3. Carbon dioxide is released

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Chapter Notes

Reduction of Ores

The oxide obtained by calcination or roasting is then reduced by either carbon or

hydrogen.
Carbon is usually used in the form of coke, or carbon monoxide.
Not all metallic oxides can be reduced by carbon or carbon monoxide.
Thus, in order to extract metal from its ore the method adopted depends on the reactivity
of the metal i.e., its position in the metal activity series.

Metal

Method of reduction of oxide

Zn

By carbon reduction method. This metal can be reduced by coke only

Fe Pb Cu

By carbon reduction method. These metals can be reduced by coke as well as

carbon monoxide

1) Reduction Using Carbon (Coke)

This method is used for oxides of moderately reactive metals.
Coke is an inexpensive reducing agent and is most widely used.

2) Reduction Using Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a powerful reducing agent.
It is used for the reduction of haematite in the blast furnace.

3)

Reduction Using Aluminium (Aluminothermy)

Aluminium is an expensive reducing agent.
It is used for reduction of oxides of highly reactive metals.
But these metals need to be below aluminium in the reactivity series.
Example:
Aluminothermy (Thermite reaction) is also used for welding broken iron rails.
Reduction of Fe2O3 is a highly exothermic reaction.
Iron is produced in its molten form, which is used for welding.

C) Extraction of Highly reactive Metals (at the Top of the Activity Series)
Metals such as Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, Auminium high up in the reactivity series
are very reactive and cannot be obtained from their compounds by heating with carbon.
This is because these metals have more affinity for oxygen than carbon.
These metals are obtained by Electrolysis (electrolytic reduction).

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Metals and Non-Metals

Chapter Notes

Electrolysis (electrolytic reduction)

This process is used for oxides of highly reactive metals that are above aluminium in the
reactivity series.
Electricity is passed through the molten salt of metal oxide.
Metal gets deposited at cathode
Metal ion + electron from cathode Metal atom
Oxygen gas is evolved at anode
O -- -- - 2 electrons to anode Oxygen gas
It is also used for reduction of aluminium oxide. Example:

Refining of Metals
Most metals obtained by the reduction process are not very pure.
These have to be further refined or purified.
Purification of the metal is the last step in metallurgy.

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Metals and Non-Metals

Chapter Notes

Electrolytic Refining
Electrolysis can be used for both extractions of metal as well as for further purification of
metals.
In the electrolytic refining process
A thick block of impure metal is made the anode.
Thin sheet of pure metal is made the cathode.
A metal salt solution (aqueous) is taken as electrolyte. An electrolyte is a compound (salt,
acid or base), which in solution or in a molten state conducts electricity and dissociates in
to ions
When electric current is passed, ions move towards the oppositely charged electrodes to
give up their electric charge and become atoms; these are either liberated or deposited at
the electrodes.
Impure metal from the anode gets dissolved in to the solution as ions, and from the
solution gets deposited on the cathode as atom, by gaining electrons.
The impurities are left behind as anode mud and get collected as a heap below the anode.
The anode becomes thinner and the cathode gets thicker due to deposition of the pure
metal

Corrosion of metals
Corrosion is an oxidation reaction of a metal with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of
water
Corrosion is the process in which metals are eaten up gradually by the action of air,
moisture or acids.
Rusting of Iron is the most common example of corrosion.
Rusting is oxidation because it involves iron gaining oxygen (Fe Fe2O3) or iron
3+
atoms losing electrons (Fe - 3e Fe )

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Metals and Non-Metals
4Fe + 3O2 + 2x H2O
Iron
Oxygen Water
(moisture)

Chapter Notes

2Fe2O3.xH2O
Hydrated Iron III Oxide
(RUST)

Rust is red-brown flaky substance

Corrosion weakens iron and steel objects such as railings, bridges, car bodies, ships etc.
Copper also undergoes corrosion Copper reacts with oxygen, carbon dioxide and
water vapour to form a greenish coat of Basic copper carbonate
2Cu + CO2 + O2 + H2O
CuCO3 . Cu(OH)2
Copper
Basic Copper Carbonate (green)
Silver also gets tarnished - Silver loses its shine and turns blackish due to the
deposition of Silver sulphide
Ag(s)
+
H2S(g)
Ag2S(s)
+
H2(g)
Silver Hydrogen sulphide
Silver Sulphide
(Black)
Aluminium also undergoes corrosion It loses its shine due to formation of a layer of
Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) on its surface. This layer protects the metal underneath from
further damage.
Aluminium is highly resistant to corrosion.
Lead corrodes to a white lead oxide

Methods to prevent Rusting

By painting paint acts as a barrier between the metal and the atmosphere.
By greasing or oiling oil layer acts as water repellent.
By Galvanisation
o Coating the surface of iron object with a thin layer of Zinc is called
Galvanization.
o This layer is deposited on iron by electrolytic deposition
o Iron object is made in to a cathode and dipped in molten Zinc.
o Zinc quickly gets oxidized to form zinc oxide, which forms a protective layer on
iron as it does not flake off.
By Alloying
o Mixing of Iron with other metals like Chromium is used to make non resting
alloys
o Steel is a non rusting alloy of Iron and carbon.
o Stainless steel is an alloy of Iron with Nickel or Chromium
By Electroplating
o Coating the surface of metal with Tin, Chromium or Nickel by electroplating is
also used to protect the metals.
o Chromium plating is very commonly used to protect the parts of cycle, motor
cycle etc.

How do metals react with non metals?

Metal atoms form cation by losing electrons.
+

Na
2, 8, 1

1e

Na ( sodium ion )
2, 8

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Metals and Non-Metals

Non metal atoms form anion by gaining electrons.

Cl

2, 8, 7

Chapter Notes

1 e-

Cl

( chloride ion)

2, 8, 8

Oppositely charged ions attract each other.

The bond formed between two atoms by complete transfer of electrons from one atom
to another atom, so that their octant or duplent gets complete, to give them a stable
structure.
Compound formed by this method are called Ionic compounds.
Number of atoms lost or gained by an atom is called its electrovalency.
Formation of ionic compound illustrated by electron dot method

Example 1

Example 2

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Metals and Non-Metals
Properties of ionic compounds
Ionic compounds are crystalline solids.
They are soluble in water.
They have high melting and boiling points.
They are good conductors of electricity.

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Chapter Notes