NCERT Books for Class 10 Science Chapter 3

Metals 

Metals are elements that conduct heat and electricity, which are malleable and ductile. Some of the metals are Iron (Fe), Aluminium (Al), Silver (Ag), Copper (Cu),  Gold (Au), Platinum (Pt), Lead (Pb), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), etc. 

Metals are elements that form positive ions by losing electrons. And so, they are labelled as Electropositive Elements. 

Physical Properties of Metals

• Hardness: Most of the metals are hard, except alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium; lithium, etc. which are very soft metals. These can be cut by using a knife.

• Strength: Most of the metals are strong and have high tensile strength. Because of this, big structures can be formed using metals, such as copper (Cu) and iron (Fe). (Except Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) which are soft metals).

• State: Metals are solid at room temperature except for mercury (Hg).

• Sound: Metals produce ringing sound, so, metals are called Sonorous. The sound of metals is also known as Metallic sound. This property is used to make musical instruments from metal wires. 

• Conduction: Metals serve as good conductors of heat and electricity. Electric wires are made of metals like copper and aluminium.

• Malleability:  Metals can be beaten into a thin sheet. Because of this property of malleability, iron is used in making big ships.

• Ductility: With this property, the metals can be drawn into thin wire. 

• Melting and Boiling Point: Metals have generally high melting and boiling points with the exception of sodium and potassium metals with low melting and boiling points.)

• Density: Most of the metals have a high density.

• Colour: With the exception of gold and copper, most of the metals are grey in colour. 

Non Metals 

Non-metals are the elements not conducting electricity and are neither malleable nor ductile. Non-metals form negative ions by gaining an electron and accordingly also known as Electronegative Elements.

Examples: Carbon (C), Sulphur (S), Phosphorous (P), Silicon (Si), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Neon (Ne) and Argon (Ar), etc.

Physical properties of Non-Metals

• Hardness: Non-metals are not hard, but generally soft.  It means they can be cut by knife easily. An exception is a diamond which is the hardest naturally occurring substance.

• State: Non-metals may be solid, liquid or gas.

• Lustre: Non-metals possess a dull appearance, i.e. they are not shiny, with the exception of Diamond and iodine.

• Sonority: Non-metals are not sonorous; when we strike them, they do not make any sound. 

• Conduction: Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity with the exception of. Graphite, an allotrope of carbon which is a good conductor of electricity 

• Malleability and ductility: Non-metals are brittle and they break down into pieces when hammered.  They cannot be drawn into wires. They are also not malleable meaning they cannot be hammered into thin sheets.

• Melting and boiling point: Non-metals are characterised by generally low melting and boiling points.

• Density: Most of the non-metals possess low density.

• Non-metals have low tensile strength. It means they cannot hold heavyweights. 

• Colour: Non-metals are seen in many colours.

Table showing major differences between Metals and Non-Metals

The Best Method to learn Chapters Metals and Non-Metals in Class 10

It is always advisable to read with full concentration as the chapter you would be studying is new. It will be a good practice to split the chapter into headings and subheadings for better understanding.

If you are nearing the exam dates with little or no time for the exams, it would be ideal if you read the whole chapter once and clear all doubts before writing down headings and subheadings. If possible, make flowcharts to learn and memorize faster. 

The key to learning this vast but interesting topic is to understand and practise rather than mugging up just before the test or exam. This may sound difficult at first, but the more you practise drawing structures, you become familiar with structures and formulae metals and non-metals and their properties.

To begin with, you need to be aware of all symbols of the elements. Next, learn all functional groups and write down the names of the compounds with their structural formula. You should be able to name a compound from its given formula. 

It is important to study all the allotropes of carbon, tetravalency and catenation thereby understanding the bonding of carbon and its compounds.

• Chemistry Course of Metals and Non-Metals may sound easy for many, but the study of atomic structure, valence and formulae is a matter of concern for some.  Besides, the questions and problems listed at the end of each chapter, related as they are to the real world and everything in this universe should be answered regularly. 

• The Class 10 NCERT Exemplar consists of model solutions to all questions in the NCERT Textbooks. The exemplars aid the students in completing assignments and simultaneously doing well in the exams. 

• With step by step solutions with detailed explanations, the exemplars are highly beneficial in understanding clearly the different concepts of Chemistry and the related problems. The exemplars also aid the students to enhance their reasoning and analytical skills. 

• By registering for Chemistry tuitions on the Vedantu.com website, all students can clear their doubts enabling them to score highly in their examinations. Chapter-wise solutions and tricks to master the subjects are also available on Vedantu.com.