Download CBSE MCQs for Class 10 Science: Chapter 03 Metals and Nonmetals
Access targeted multiple-choice questions for Chapter 03 Metals and Nonmetals designed to align with the latest CBSE academic syllabus for Class 10 Science. These objective practice sets help students evaluate their conceptual understanding and improve exam readiness.
Chapter-wise Objective Questions: Chapter 03 Metals and Nonmetals
Navigate directly to the 50 objective questions for Chapter 03 Metals and Nonmetals using the digital viewer below. Each practice set includes verified answer keys, allowing students to instantly cross-check their work and identify areas requiring further revision.
This is Set 10 of CBSE Class 10 Science Metals and Non-metals MCQs, with 36 questions that come with answers, explanations and teacher's notes. It tests properties of metals and non-metals, the reactivity series, ionic bonding and formulae, anode mud and the thermite process, and includes a table-based question on displacement among five metals, followed by eight assertion-reason questions.
Multiple Choice Questions
(a) Electrical conduction
(b) Sonorous in nature
(c) Dullness
(d) Ductility
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Dullness
Explanation:
1. Metals conduct electricity, produce a ringing sound when struck (sonorous) and can be drawn into wires (ductile).
2. Metals have a shining surface (lustre), so dullness is not a property of metals.
Teacher's Note:
1. Metals are lustrous in their pure state.
2. Dullness is a property of most non-metals.
(i) Good thermal conductivity
(ii) Good electrical conductivity
(iii) Ductility
(iv) High melting point
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iii)
(d) (i) and (iv)
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) (i) and (iv)
Explanation:
1. A cooking utensil must conduct heat well and must not melt on the flame.
2. So good thermal conductivity (i) and high melting point (iv) are responsible.
Teacher's Note:
1. Match the use with the property needed.
2. Electrical conductivity is not needed for cooking.
(a) Zinc
(b) Phosphorus
(c) Sulphur
(d) Oxygen
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Zinc
Explanation:
1. Only metals are malleable and can be beaten into sheets.
2. Zinc is a metal, whereas phosphorus and sulphur are brittle non-metals and oxygen is a gas.
Teacher's Note:
1. Malleability is a property of metals.
2. Solid non-metals break into pieces when hammered.
(a) C, CO2
(b) N, NO2
(c) S, SO2
(d) I2, I2O5
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) S, SO2
Explanation:
1. A yellow solid with a low melting point that burns with a pale blue flame is sulphur (S).
2. It forms pungent SO2, which turns moist blue litmus red and then bleaches it, so X = S and Y = SO2.
Teacher's Note:
1. Sulphur burns with a pale blue flame.
2. Non-metal oxides such as SO2 are acidic.
(a) Its high density
(b) Its high polishing
(c) Its chemical inertness
(d) Presence of free electrons
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Presence of free electrons
Explanation:
1. Free electrons present in a metal interact with light and reflect it.
2. This gives metals their characteristic shine, so the lustre is due to free electrons.
Teacher's Note:
1. Free electrons explain lustre and conduction.
2. Density and inertness do not make a metal shine.
(a) Na
(b) Ca
(c) Mg
(d) Fe
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Fe
Explanation:
1. Sodium and calcium react with cold water and magnesium reacts with hot water.
2. Iron reacts only with steam, so it does not react with cold or hot water.
Teacher's Note:
1. Reactivity with water decreases down the activity series.
2. Zn, Al and Fe react with steam only.
(a) Calcium
(b) Carbon
(c) Silicon
(d) Iron
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Calcium
Explanation:
1. Calcium forms the ionic compound calcium oxide, which has a high melting point and dissolves in water to give calcium hydroxide.
2. Carbon forms gaseous oxides, silicon dioxide is insoluble and iron oxide is insoluble.
Teacher's Note:
1. A high melting point points to an ionic oxide.
2. Non-metal oxides are usually gases or covalent solids.
(a) Na
(b) Ca
(c) Al
(d) Cu
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Al
Explanation:
1. Aluminium oxide reacts with both acids and bases to give salt and water, so it is amphoteric.
2. The oxides of Na, Ca and Cu are basic.
Teacher's Note:
1. Zinc oxide is another common amphoteric oxide.
2. Amphoteric oxides show both acidic and basic behaviour.
(a) Zn < Fe < Mg < K
(b) Fe < Mg < Zn < K
(c) Fe < Mg < K < Zn
(d) Fe < Zn < Mg < K
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Fe < Zn < Mg < K
Explanation:
1. In the activity series the order of decreasing reactivity is K > Mg > Zn > Fe.
2. So the increasing order is Fe < Zn < Mg < K.
Teacher's Note:
1. Reverse the activity series for increasing order.
2. Remember: K Na Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Pb H Cu Hg Ag Au.
(a) Na
(b) Mg
(c) Zn
(d) Cu
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Cu
Explanation:
1. Sodium reacts with cold water, magnesium with hot water and zinc with steam, giving hydrogen.
2. Copper does not react with water at all.
Teacher's Note:
1. Cu, Ag, Au and Pb do not react with water.
2. Hydrogen is given by metals above copper in some form of water.
(a) 2AgNO3(aq) + Fe(s) → Fe(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
(b) CuSO4(aq) + Zn(s) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
(c) CuSO4(aq) + 2Ag(s) → Cu(s) + Ag2SO4(aq)
(d) 2AgNO3(aq) + Zn(s) → Zn(NO3)2(aq) + 2Ag(s)
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) CuSO4(aq) + 2Ag(s) → Cu(s) + Ag2SO4(aq)
Explanation:
1. In (a), (b) and (d) a more reactive metal (Fe or Zn) displaces a less reactive metal (Ag or Cu), so they occur.
2. In (c) silver is less reactive than copper, so it cannot displace copper from CuSO4.
Teacher's Note:
1. A metal can displace only those below it.
2. Silver is below copper in the reactivity series.
4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) →
Which option shows the products formed during the reaction?
(a) 3Fe4O2(s)
(b) 12FeO(s)
(c) 4FeO3(s)
(d) 2Fe2O3(s)
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) 2Fe2O3(s)
Explanation:
1. Four iron atoms and six oxygen atoms must appear on the right side.
2. 2Fe2O3 contains 4 Fe and 6 O, so the balanced equation is 4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3.
Teacher's Note:
1. Count the atoms of each element on both sides.
2. Only one option has 4 Fe and 6 O.
Cu + HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + H2
H2 + HNO3 → H2O + NO2
What can be inferred from the chemical equation?
(a) Nitrate reacts with hydrogen to form NO2 and H2O.
(b) Hydrogen gas gets oxidized by HNO3 to form water.
(c) Gas reacts with oxygen in the air to form water.
(d) Copper causes the oxidation of HNO3 to form NO2.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) Hydrogen gas gets oxidized by HNO3 to form water.
Explanation:
1. The second equation shows hydrogen reacting with HNO3 to form water and NO2.
2. Hydrogen is oxidised to water by nitric acid, so no hydrogen gas is collected when metals react with HNO3.
Teacher's Note:
1. Nitric acid is a strong oxidising agent.
2. That is why hydrogen is not evolved.
(a) Aluminium
(b) Copper
(c) Magnesium
(d) Lead
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Magnesium
Explanation:
1. Magnesium does not react with cold water but reacts with hot water, forming Mg(OH)2 and hydrogen bubbles.
2. The bubbles stick to the metal and make it float. Aluminium, copper and lead do not react with hot water.
Teacher's Note:
1. Mg reacts with hot water, Al and Zn with steam only.
2. Floating is caused by hydrogen bubbles.
(a) Has high melting point
(b) Has low melting point
(c) Conducts electricity in molten state
(d) Occurs as solid
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) Has low melting point
Explanation:
1. Transfer of electrons from X to Y gives an ionic compound Z.
2. Ionic compounds are solids with high melting points and conduct in the molten state, so a low melting point is not shown.
Teacher's Note:
1. Electron transfer means ionic bond.
2. Strong attraction between ions gives a high melting point.
(a) Petrol
(b) Water
(c) Kerosene
(d) Edible oil
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) Water
Explanation:
1. Ionic compounds are soluble in polar solvents such as water.
2. They are insoluble in petrol, kerosene and edible oil, which are non-polar.
Teacher's Note:
1. Water is the solvent for ionic compounds.
2. Like dissolves like.
(a) 2, 8, 8, 1
(b) 2, 8, 8
(c) 2, 8, 6
(d) 2, 7
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) 2, 8, 8, 1
Explanation:
1. Electropositive elements are metals, which have 1 to 3 valence electrons.
2. The configuration 2, 8, 8, 1 has one valence electron, so it is potassium, an electropositive element.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look at the outermost shell.
2. Few valence electrons mean it will lose them.
(a) MNO3
(b) M(NO3)2
(c) M2(NO3)3
(d) M(NO3)3
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) M(NO3)3
Explanation:
1. The phosphate ion is PO43−, so the formula MPO4 shows that the metal ion is M3+.
2. The nitrate ion is NO3−, so the nitrate salt of the metal is M(NO3)3.
Teacher's Note:
1. Find the charge of the metal from the first salt.
2. Then balance with the new anion.
(i) positively charged cathode
(ii) negatively charged anode
(iii) positively charged anode
(iv) negatively charged cathode
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (iii) and (iv)
(c) (i) and (iii)
(d) (ii) and (iv)
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) (iii) and (iv)
Explanation:
1. In an electrolytic cell the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the battery and is positively charged.
2. The cathode is connected to the negative terminal and is negatively charged, so (iii) and (iv) are correct.
Teacher's Note:
1. Anode is positive and cathode is negative in electrolysis.
2. Cations move to the cathode.
(a) Fan of anode
(b) Metal of anode
(c) Impurities collected at anode in electrolysis during purification of metals
(d) All of these
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Impurities collected at anode in electrolysis during purification of metals
Explanation:
1. During electrolytic refining the soluble impurities go into the solution.
2. The insoluble impurities settle down at the bottom of the anode and are called anode mud.
Teacher's Note:
1. Anode mud may contain valuable metals like gold and silver.
2. It collects below the anode.
ZnS(s) + O2(g) → (heat)
(a) ZnO and SO2
(b) ZnSO4 and SO3
(c) ZnSO4 and SO2
(d) Zn and SO2
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) ZnO and SO2
Explanation:
1. Heating a sulphide ore in excess air is roasting.
2. It converts the sulphide to the oxide and gives sulphur dioxide: 2ZnS + 3O2 → 2ZnO + 2SO2.
Teacher's Note:
1. Roasting converts sulphides into oxides.
2. Balance: 2 ZnS, 3 O2, 2 ZnO, 2 SO2.
(a) aluminium is a light metal
(b) aluminium has more affinity for oxygen
(c) aluminium is a strong oxidising agent
(d) aluminium is a reactive metal
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) aluminium has more affinity for oxygen
Explanation:
1. In the thermite reaction aluminium takes oxygen away from the oxide of iron.
2. Aluminium has a greater affinity for oxygen than iron, so it reduces the iron oxide and a lot of heat is released.
Teacher's Note:
1. The reactant that removes oxygen is a reducing agent.
2. The heat melts the iron produced.
(a) Al, Al(OH)3 and H2
(b) Ag, AgOH and H2
(c) K, KCl and H2
(d) Na, NaOH and H2
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) Na, NaOH and H2
Explanation:
1. A highly exothermic reaction with cold water that makes hydrogen burn is typical of sodium (or potassium).
2. The product Y must be NaOH, which on neutralisation with HCl gives NaCl solution of pH 7. KCl is not a product of the reaction with water, so (d) is correct.
Teacher's Note:
1. Metal + water gives hydroxide + hydrogen.
2. Neutralisation of a strong base by a strong acid gives pH 7.
(a) Metal ‘X’ is Silver (Ag), Salt is Silver Nitrate and compound ‘Y’ is Silver Chloride.
(b) Metal ‘X’ is Magnesium (Mg), Salt is Magnesium Nitrate and compound ‘Y’ is Magnesium Chloride.
(c) Metal ‘X’ is Lead (Pb), Salt is Lead Nitrate and compound ‘Y’ is Lead Chloride.
(d) Metal ‘X’ is Copper (Cu), Salt is Copper Nitrate and compound ‘Y’ is Copper Chloride.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Metal ‘X’ is Silver (Ag), Salt is Silver Nitrate and compound ‘Y’ is Silver Chloride.
Explanation:
1. The best conductor of electricity is silver, which is below hydrogen and does not react with dilute HCl.
2. AgNO3 + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO3, where AgCl is a white precipitate.
Teacher's Note:
1. Best electrical conductor means silver.
2. Silver chloride is the white curdy precipitate.
(a) an element
(b) a compound
(c) a homogeneous mixture
(d) a heterogeneous mixture
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) a homogeneous mixture
Explanation:
1. An alloy is a mixture of a metal with other metals or non-metals.
2. It is uniform throughout, so it is a homogeneous mixture.
Teacher's Note:
1. Alloys are made by melting and mixing.
2. They are not compounds.
(a) remove moisture condensed over the surface of ribbon.
(b) generate heat due to exothermic reaction.
(c) remove magnesium oxide formed over the surface of magnesium.
(d) mix silicon from sand paper (silicon dioxide) with magnesium for lowering ignition temperature of the ribbon.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) remove magnesium oxide formed over the surface of magnesium.
Explanation:
1. Magnesium in air gets covered with a layer of magnesium oxide, which stops it from burning easily.
2. Rubbing with sand paper removes this layer and exposes clean magnesium.
Teacher's Note:
1. Oxide layers protect metals from further reaction.
2. Clean the ribbon before burning it.
(a) Silver
(b) Gold
(c) Tin
(d) Mercury
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) Tin
Explanation:
1. A metal can displace copper only if it is more reactive than copper.
2. Silver, gold and mercury are less reactive than copper, whereas tin is more reactive.
Teacher's Note:
1. Tin lies above hydrogen and copper.
2. Compare with the activity series.
| Metal | CuSO4 | ZnSO4 | FeSO4 | AgNO3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | No change | No change | No change | A coating on metal |
| B | Brown coating | — | Grey deposit | A coating on metal |
| C | No change | No change | No change | No change |
| D | — | No change | No change | Brown deposit |
| E | Brown deposit | New coating | New coating | New coating |
(b) C
(c) D
(d) E
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) E
Explanation:
1. Metal E displaces metals from all four solutions, including zinc sulphate.
2. The metal that can displace zinc, which is above copper, iron and silver in the series, is the most reactive, so E is the most reactive.
Teacher's Note:
1. The metal that displaces the most reactive metal in the table is the most reactive.
2. A new coating means displacement took place.
Assertion–Reason Questions
Assertion (A): Some metal oxides are amphoteric in nature.
Reason (R): Metallic oxides show acidic behaviour.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation:
1. Oxides such as Al2O3 and ZnO react with both acids and bases, so they are amphoteric and A is true.
2. Metal oxides are generally basic, not acidic, so R is false.
Teacher's Note:
1. Amphoteric oxides are exceptions among metal oxides.
2. Most metal oxides are basic.
Assertion (A): Carbon reacts with oxygen to form carbon monoxide which is an acidic oxide.
Reason (R): Non-metals form acidic oxides.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation:
1. With sufficient oxygen carbon forms carbon dioxide, which is acidic, while carbon monoxide is a neutral oxide, so A is false.
2. Non-metals generally form acidic oxides, so R is true.
Teacher's Note:
1. CO is neutral, CO2 is acidic.
2. Non-metal oxides are acidic or neutral.
Assertion (A): Aluminium is used to make utensils for cooking.
Reason (R): Aluminium is a highly reactive metal.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
1. Aluminium is a good conductor of heat and has a high melting point, so it is used for cooking utensils, and A is true.
2. Aluminium is highly reactive, so R is true, but its reactivity is not the reason for this use. It is protected by a layer of oxide.
Teacher's Note:
1. Use depends on conductivity and melting point.
2. Aluminium oxide protects the metal beneath.
Assertion (A): Sodium, potassium and magnesium are never found as free elements in nature.
Reason (R): Sodium, potassium and magnesium are reactive elements.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
1. These metals are at the top of the reactivity series and react readily with air, water and carbon dioxide.
2. So they occur only as compounds, and R explains A.
Teacher's Note:
1. Reactive metals occur in the combined state.
2. Gold and platinum occur free.
Assertion (A): When zinc is added to a solution of iron (II) sulphate, no change is observed.
Reason (R): Zinc is more reactive than iron.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation:
1. Zinc is more reactive than iron, so R is true.
2. Because of this, zinc displaces iron from FeSO4 solution and the green colour fades, so a change is observed and A is false.
Teacher's Note:
1. Predict the result from the reactivity series.
2. Zn + FeSO4 gives ZnSO4 + Fe.
Assertion (A): Ionic compounds are soluble in water.
Reason (R): Ions are free to move in molten and aqueous state in ionic compounds.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
1. Ionic compounds dissolve in water, so A is true.
2. Ions are free to move in molten and aqueous states, so R is true, but this explains electrical conduction, not solubility.
Teacher's Note:
1. Solubility and conduction are different properties.
2. Water is a polar solvent.
Assertion (A): Zinc can easily displace copper on reacting with a solution of copper sulphate.
Reason (R): Copper is more reactive metal as compared to Zinc.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation:
1. Zinc is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from copper sulphate solution and A is true.
2. Copper is less reactive than zinc, so R is false.
Teacher's Note:
1. Zn + CuSO4 gives ZnSO4 + Cu.
2. The blue colour fades.
Assertion (A): A piece of zinc metal gets reddish-brown coating when kept in copper sulphate solution for some time.
Reason (R): Copper is more reactive metal than zinc.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation:
1. Zinc displaces copper from copper sulphate solution, so a reddish-brown copper coating forms on the zinc and A is true.
2. Copper is less reactive than zinc, so R is false.
Teacher's Note:
1. Reddish-brown means copper.
2. The more reactive metal goes into solution.
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Practice MCQs for Class 10 Science Chapter 03 Metals and Nonmetals
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You can get most exhaustive CBSE Class 10 Science Metals and Non Metals MCQs Set 10 for free on StudiesToday.com. These MCQs for Class 10 Science are updated for the 2026-27 academic session as per CBSE examination standards.
Yes, our CBSE Class 10 Science Metals and Non Metals MCQs Set 10 include the latest type of questions, such as Assertion-Reasoning and Case-based MCQs. 50% of the CBSE paper is now competency-based.
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