Test: Metals & Non-metals - UPSC MCQ

Carbon, in the form of Graphite is a good conductor of electricity. It conducts heat and electricity like a metal or a metalloid.

The method used to extract metals from the ore in which they are found depends on their reactivity. For example, reactive metals such as aluminium are extracted by electrolysis, while a less-reactive metal such as iron may be extracted by reduction with carbon or carbon monoxide.

The metal which exist as a liquid at room temperature is mercury. Non - metal which exist as a liquid at room temperature is bromine. 

In the neutral atom of an element,

Sodium metal reacts vigorously with oxygen and water. 

Calcium (Ca) is the metal present in Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂).

Malleability: The property of metals by which they can be beaten into thin sheets is known as malleability.
For example, silver metal is beaten to make silver foil used for decorating sweets.

The method used to extract metals from the ore in which they are found depends on their reactivity.
For example, reactive metals such as aluminium are extracted by electrolysis, while a less-reactive metal such as iron may be extracted by reduction with carbon or carbon monoxide.

Copper doesn't react with dilute sulphuric acid, Liberating hydrogen because copper is lower in the electromotive series than hydrogen. A more reactive element can displace a less reactive element from its salt solution.

The property of metal by which it can be drawn into wires is called ductility. Ductility is the ability of a material to be stretched or drawn out into a thin wire without losing its strength or breaking. It is an important property of metals and is commonly observed in materials like copper, silver, and gold.
Explanation:

• Ductility: Ductility is the property of a material to be stretched or drawn into a wire without breaking or losing its strength. It is an important property of metals and is a result of the metallic bond between atoms in a metal. Metals with high ductility can be easily shaped into various forms, including wires.


• Conductivity: Conductivity refers to the ability of a material to conduct electrical or thermal energy. While metals generally have high conductivity, it is not directly related to their ability to be drawn into wires.


• Malleability: Malleability is the property of a material to be easily hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking. While malleability and ductility are both properties of metals, they refer to different ways in which metals can be shaped.


• Decorating: Decorating is not a property related to the ability of metals to be drawn into wires. It is unrelated to the physical properties of metals.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C: Ductility. Ductility allows metals to be drawn into wires without breaking, making it an essential property for various applications in industries such as electrical wiring and telecommunications.

Silver  do not react with oxygen even at high temperatures as they are less reactive and are placed below the reactivity series. Hence they are called noble metals. But silver fades after some months or years due to its tendency to react with sulphur in air forming their sulphides

(d) (i) and (iv)

Explanation: Aluminium is not suitable for utensil production due to its ductility and high electrical conductivity. The properties that make it suitable are its high melting point and good heat conductivity. Copper, steel (an alloy of iron), and aluminium are the most common metals used for making utensils because of their good heat conductivity.

When metal A is dipped in a solution of salt of metal V, then metal B is displaced, this shows that metal A is more reactive than B. Only then it can displace B from its salt solution. 

When an iron nail immersed in the solution of copper sulphate than iron displaces copper from the solution of copper sulphate because iron is more reactive than copper. Therefore, copper sulphate solution colour changes from blue to light green .

Sulfur dioxide gas turns moist litmus paper from blue to red and moist universal indicator paper to red - it is acidic.

Non - metals generally form acidic oxides but oxides of carbon and nitrogen are neutral in nature like CO and NO.

The non-metal which is a liquid at room temperature:
Answer: Bromine (D)
Explanation:
- Non-metals are elements that lack metallic characteristics and are typically poor conductors of heat and electricity.
- Among the given options, the non-metal that is a liquid at room temperature is Bromine (Br).
- Here's a breakdown of the properties of each of the options:
- Oxygen (O) is a gas at room temperature.
- Fluorine (F) is a gas at room temperature.
- Sulphur (S) is a solid at room temperature.
- Bromine (Br) is a liquid at room temperature.
- Bromine is the only non-metal that exists in a liquid state at normal room temperature and pressure.
- It has a boiling point of 58.8°C and a melting point of -7.2°C.
- Bromine is a reddish-brown liquid with a strong odor and is highly reactive.
- It is commonly used in the production of flame retardants, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
- It is also used as a disinfectant and in water treatment.
- Therefore, the correct answer is D: Bromine.

A is the correct option.Metals lose electrons in bonding whilst non-metals gain electrons during ionic bonding hence metals form cations and non-metals form anions.

Lead being metal is a bad conductor of electricity and heat. Compared to other metals, lead is a poor conductor of heat while gold, silver, platinum are good conductors of heat.

There is lot of empty space on the unit cell, hence metallic bond is weaker. Thus sodium and potassium appear soft and can with knife. 

Metals that are less reactive than H are:- * Copper (Cu) * Mercury (Hg) * Silver (Ag) * Platinum(Pt) * Gold (Au)

Reactivity of Metals with Oxygen
Metallic elements can react with oxygen to form metal oxides. The reactivity of metals with oxygen varies, with some metals reacting vigorously while others react slowly or not at all. In this case, we are looking for the metal that reacts vigorously with oxygen.
Options:
A: Zinc
B: Magnesium
C: Sodium
D: Aluminium
Detailed
To determine which metal reacts vigorously with oxygen, let's consider the reactivity series of metals. The reactivity series is a list of metals arranged in order of their reactivity, with the most reactive metal at the top.
1. The reactivity series from most reactive to least reactive is: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, tin, lead, hydrogen, copper, silver, gold, platinum.
2. Sodium (option C) is higher in the reactivity series than both zinc (option A) and aluminium (option D).
3. Therefore, sodium reacts more vigorously with oxygen compared to zinc and aluminium.
Conclusion:
The metal that reacts vigorously with oxygen is sodium (option C).

Metal Used for Making Foils for Packing Food Materials: Aluminium
Explanation:
The metal commonly used for making foils used in packing food materials is aluminium. Here's why:
- Lightweight: Aluminium is a lightweight metal, making it ideal for packaging materials as it adds minimal weight to the overall package.
- Non-toxic: Aluminium is non-toxic and does not react with food, ensuring the safety of the packaged food.
- Barrier properties: Aluminium foils have excellent barrier properties, preventing moisture, oxygen, and other contaminants from entering the packaged food, thus preserving its freshness and extending its shelf life.
- Heat conductivity: Aluminium is an excellent conductor of heat, allowing for quick and efficient heating or cooling of the packaged food.
- Flexibility: Aluminium foils are highly malleable and can be easily shaped, folded, or wrapped around food items, providing a secure and tight seal.
- Cost-effective: Aluminium is abundantly available and relatively affordable compared to other metals, making it a cost-effective choice for packaging foils.
Overall, aluminium's lightweight, non-toxic nature, excellent barrier properties, heat conductivity, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness make it the preferred metal for making foils used in packing food materials.

The most abundant Element on the earth's crust is oxygen followed by silicon.. But both of them are Non-metals. But, silicon is followed by Aluminium which is a METAL (about 8.23%) further followed by iron. So the most abundant metal found on the Earth is Aluminium.

Iron is the second most abundant Metal in the earth's crust. It is found in the molten form inside the crust of the earth. In the presence of air and moisture, it forms it's oxide but the alloy of steel is widely used as pipes, it is unreactive in nature.