Metals and Non-Metals Class 10 MCQs with Answers

These Metals and Non-Metals Class 10 MCQs are designed for quick and effective CBSE exam preparation. This chapter is one of the most important parts of Class 10 Science because it includes reaction-based concepts, reasoning questions, ionic compounds, corrosion, and reactivity series topics that are frequently asked in exams.

Instead of making students scroll through long theory sections, this page focuses on direct MCQ practice along with short concept revision and exam-focused explanations. You will find different types of questions including NCERT-based MCQs, assertion-reason questions, case-study questions, and competency-based practice aligned with the latest CBSE pattern.

If you want chapter-wise objective question practice, you can also explore our complete MCQs collection. Students preparing subject-wise can visit the Class 10 MCQs section, while the full Class 10 Science MCQs hub covers all science chapters in one place for easier revision. For more study resources and board exam preparation material, explore our dedicated CBSE Board learning section.

Practice these MCQs regularly to improve:

• concept clarity
• question-solving speed
• accuracy in exams
• confidence in chemistry topics

Now, start practicing the important MCQs from Chapter 3 - Metals and Non-Metals.

Practice Metals and Non-Metals Class 10 MCQs

Before jumping into theory revision, start with MCQ practice to identify which concepts need more attention. The questions on this page are planned around NCERT concepts, competency-based learning, assertion-reason formats, and board-level application questions.

MCQ Practice Sections

Metals and Non-Metals Class 10 MCQs

Practicing chapter-wise MCQs is one of the fastest ways to improve conceptual clarity and exam performance in CBSE Class 10 Science. This section includes important objective questions from Chapter 3 - Metals and Non-Metals based on NCERT concepts, latest CBSE patterns, assertion-reason formats, and competency-based learning. Solve these questions carefully and use the explanations to strengthen your understanding of reactions, reactivity series, ionic compounds, corrosion, and metal extraction concepts.

Q. A student passes steam continuously over a red-hot iron sample placed inside a combustion tube. What specific visual and chemical transformation occurs inside the tube after a prolonged period?

A. The metallic iron converts into a dull yellow powder of ferrous oxide.
B. A reddish-brown flaky layer of ferric oxide forms on the surface.
C. The iron sample turns into a dark magnetic oxide residue of ferrosoferric oxide.
D. The sample completely dissolves into a green crystalline liquid mixture.

Answer: C

Explanation: Red-hot iron reacts with steam to form iron(II,III) oxide ((Fe_3O_4)), a black magnetic oxide, along with hydrogen gas.

Q. Food packaging industries pack delicate snacks like potato chips in sealed bags containing a specific gas to avoid rancidity. Select the ideal non-metallic element used for this purpose.

A. Gaseous oxygen to maintain flavor freshness
B. Liquefied sulfur dioxide to eliminate bacterial spores
C. Diatomic nitrogen to create an inert environment
D. Vaporized phosphorus to act as a chemical preservative

Answer: C

Explanation: Nitrogen is an unreactive gas that prevents oxidation of oils and fats, reducing rancidity in food items.

Q. Four distinct metallic rods made of Copper, Tin, Lead, and Mercury are evaluated for their chemical displacement properties. Which sequence correctly showcases these metals in a strictly decreasing order of their chemical reactivity?

A. Lead > Tin > Mercury > Copper
B. Tin > Lead > Copper > Mercury
C. Copper > Mercury > Tin > Lead
D. Mercury > Lead > Tin > Copper

Answer: B

Explanation: Tin is more reactive than lead, copper, and mercury. Mercury is the least reactive among these metals.

Q. During a laboratory activity, two separate test tubes filled with cold distilled water receive small pieces of different metals. The student notices that while both metals begin to react, they quickly float to the top surface of the liquid. Identify the two metals.

A. Zinc and Sodium
B. Calcium and Magnesium
C. Potassium and Iron
D. Aluminum and Copper

Answer: B

Explanation: Hydrogen gas bubbles stick to calcium and magnesium during the reaction, causing them to float.

Q. Domestic cooking appliances require material with specialized physical properties. Aluminum is heavily favored for engineering frying pans and pots primarily due to which specific pair of attributes?

A. High electrical resistivity and excellent ductility
B. Outstanding thermal conductivity and a high melting point
C. Low density and structural brittle tendencies
D. Strong sonorous nature and high negative ionization potential

Answer: B

Explanation: Aluminum transfers heat efficiently and can withstand high cooking temperatures without melting.

Q. In a chemistry laboratory, a student carefully adds dilute hydrochloric acid into a beaker containing an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide. Choose the balanced chemical equation that represents this neutralization.

A. HCl + Ba(OH)₂ → BaCl₂ + H₂O
B. 2HCl + Ba(OH)₂ → BaCl₂ + 2H₂O
C. 2HCl + Ba(OH)₂ → BaH₂ + 2HCl + O₂
D. HCl + 2Ba(OH) → 2BaCl₂ + 2H₂O

Answer: B

Explanation: Barium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid to form barium chloride and water in a balanced neutralization reaction.

Q. What can be concluded from the observations made when a tiny, freshly cut pellet of clean sodium metal is carefully dropped into a trough of cold water?

A. The metal slowly sinks to the bottom and absorbs ambient thermal energy while forming an oxide.
B. It skitters around on the surface, catches fire with a golden-yellow flame, and creates an alkaline hydroxide solution.
C. It quietly dissolves without generating gas bubbles, turning the water into an acidic solution.
D. The pellet fragments violently into safe black pieces of carbonaceous slag without a thermal change.

Answer: B

Explanation: Sodium reacts vigorously with water, producing sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The heat released may ignite the hydrogen.

Q. A piece of pure copper metal is dropped into a test tube containing concentrated nitric acid. The reaction generates a dense brown gas, and the liquid turns a bright blue color. What chemical principle explains this observation?

A. Copper acts as an oxidizing agent that strips oxygen away from water molecules.
B. Nitric acid is a powerful oxidizing agent that oxidizes copper to copper nitrate and is itself reduced to nitrogen dioxide gas instead of releasing hydrogen gas.
C. Hydrogen gas is liberated initially but reacts with atmospheric nitrogen to form a brown compound.
D. The nitrate ions break down into elemental nitrogen and oxygen gas due to the catalytic properties of copper.

Answer: B

Explanation: Nitric acid oxidizes copper to copper nitrate while producing brown nitrogen dioxide gas instead of hydrogen.

Q. Which metallurgical strategy outlines the industrial process for extracting pure liquid mercury from its naturally occurring mineral ore, cinnabar?

A. Chilling the crushed ore to sub-zero temperatures under high atmospheric pressure.
B. Heating the sulfide ore in an abundance of air to convert it into mercuric oxide, followed by thermal decomposition at higher temperatures.
C. Treating the cinnabar ore with strong reducing gases like carbon monoxide inside a blast furnace.
D. Dissolving the raw mineral ore in water and applying high-voltage electric currents to plate out the metal.

Answer: B

Explanation: Cinnabar is roasted in air to form mercuric oxide, which decomposes on heating to release mercury metal.

Q. A builder mixes a white powder of calcium oxide with excess water in a container to prepare whitewash. The container becomes extremely hot to the touch, and the solid disappears into a milky mixture. Identify the main chemical product formed.

A. Gaseous calcium hydride
B. A clear aqueous solution of elemental calcium
C. Calcium hydroxide
D. Hydrogen peroxide solution

Answer: C

Explanation: Calcium oxide reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide in an exothermic reaction.

Q. A student passes steam continuously over a red-hot iron sample placed inside a combustion tube. What specific visual and chemical transformation occurs inside the tube after a prolonged period?

A. The metallic iron converts into a dull yellow powder of ferrous oxide.
B. A reddish-brown flaky layer of ferric oxide forms on the surface.
C. The iron sample turns into a dark magnetic oxide residue of ferrosoferric oxide.
D. The sample completely dissolves into a green crystalline liquid mixture.

Answer: C

Explanation: Red-hot iron reacts with steam to form iron(II,III) oxide ((Fe_3O_4)) and hydrogen gas.

Q. Food packaging industries pack delicate snacks like potato chips in sealed bags containing a specific gas to avoid rancidity. Select the ideal non-metallic element used for this purpose.

A. Gaseous oxygen to maintain flavor freshness
B. Liquefied sulfur dioxide to eliminate bacterial spores
C. Diatomic nitrogen to create an inert environment
D. Vaporized phosphorus to act as a chemical preservative

Answer: C

Explanation: Nitrogen prevents oxidation of oils and fats, reducing rancidity in packaged food.

Q. Four distinct metallic rods made of Copper, Tin, Lead, and Mercury are evaluated for their chemical displacement properties. Which sequence correctly showcases these metals in a strictly decreasing order of their chemical reactivity?

A. Lead > Tin > Mercury > Copper
B. Tin > Lead > Copper > Mercury
C. Copper > Mercury > Tin > Lead
D. Mercury > Lead > Tin > Copper

Answer: B

Explanation: Tin is more reactive than lead, copper, and mercury, while mercury is the least reactive.

Q. During a laboratory activity, two separate test tubes filled with cold distilled water receive small pieces of different metals. The student notices that while both metals begin to react, they quickly float to the top surface of the liquid. Identify the two metals.

A. Zinc and Sodium
B. Calcium and Magnesium
C. Potassium and Iron
D. Aluminum and Copper

Answer: B

Explanation: Hydrogen gas bubbles stick to calcium and magnesium, causing them to float.

Q. Domestic cooking appliances require material with specialized physical properties. Aluminum is heavily favored for engineering frying pans and pots primarily due to which specific pair of attributes?

A. High electrical resistivity and excellent ductility
B. Outstanding thermal conductivity and a high melting point
C. Low density and structural brittle tendencies
D. Strong sonorous nature and high negative ionization potential

Answer: B

Explanation: Aluminum conducts heat efficiently and has a high melting point suitable for cooking utensils.

Q. In a chemistry laboratory, a student carefully adds dilute hydrochloric acid into a beaker containing an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide. Choose the balanced chemical equation that represents this neutralization.

A. HCl + Ba(OH)₂ → BaCl₂ + H₂O
B. 2HCl + Ba(OH)₂ → BaCl₂ + 2H₂O
C. 2HCl + Ba(OH)₂ → BaH₂ + 2HCl + O₂
D. HCl + 2Ba(OH) → 2BaCl₂ + 2H₂O

Answer: B

Explanation: Barium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid to form barium chloride and water.

Q. What can be concluded from the observations made when a tiny, freshly cut pellet of clean sodium metal is carefully dropped into a trough of cold water?

A. The metal slowly sinks to the bottom and absorbs ambient thermal energy while forming an oxide.
B. It skitters around on the surface, catches fire with a golden-yellow flame, and creates an alkaline hydroxide solution.
C. It quietly dissolves without generating gas bubbles, turning the water into an acidic solution.
D. The pellet fragments violently into safe black pieces of carbonaceous slag without a thermal change.

Answer: B

Explanation: Sodium reacts vigorously with water, forming sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

Q. A piece of pure copper metal is dropped into a test tube containing concentrated nitric acid. The reaction generates a dense brown gas, and the liquid turns a bright blue color. What chemical principle explains this observation?

A. Copper acts as an oxidizing agent that strips oxygen away from water molecules.
B. Nitric acid is a powerful oxidizing agent that oxidizes copper to copper nitrate and is itself reduced to nitrogen dioxide gas instead of releasing hydrogen gas.
C. Hydrogen gas is liberated initially but reacts with atmospheric nitrogen to form a brown compound.
D. The nitrate ions break down into elemental nitrogen and oxygen gas due to the catalytic properties of copper.

Answer: B

Explanation: Nitric acid oxidizes copper into copper nitrate and produces brown nitrogen dioxide gas.

Q. Which metallurgical strategy outlines the industrial process for extracting pure liquid mercury from its naturally occurring mineral ore, cinnabar?

A. Chilling the crushed ore to sub-zero temperatures under high atmospheric pressure.
B. Heating the sulfide ore in an abundance of air to convert it into mercuric oxide, followed by thermal decomposition at higher temperatures.
C. Treating the cinnabar ore with strong reducing gases like carbon monoxide inside a blast furnace.
D. Dissolving the raw mineral ore in water and applying high-voltage electric currents to plate out the metal.

Answer: B

Explanation: Cinnabar is roasted to form mercuric oxide, which decomposes on heating to give mercury.

Q. A builder mixes a white powder of calcium oxide with excess water in a container to prepare whitewash. The container becomes extremely hot to the touch, and the solid disappears into a milky mixture. Identify the main chemical product formed.

A. Gaseous calcium hydride
B. A clear aqueous solution of elemental calcium
C. Calcium hydroxide
D. Hydrogen peroxide solution

Answer: C

Explanation: Calcium oxide reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide and releases heat.

Q. A student reviewing the chemical reactions of metal oxides with mineral acids encounters an uncompleted equation: MgO + 2HNO₃ → ?

Which option correctly predicts the products of this reaction?

A. Mg₃N₂ + 4H₂O
B. Mg + 2NO₂ + O₂
C. Mg(NO₃)₂ + H₂O
D. Mg(OH)₂ + 2NO₂

Answer: C

Explanation: Magnesium oxide reacts with nitric acid to form magnesium nitrate and water.

Q. Based on the principles of the metal reactivity series, select the pair of substances that will undergo a spontaneous chemical displacement reaction when mixed together in a test tube.

A. Solid iron filings added to an aqueous magnesium sulfate solution
B. Pure iron wire placed inside a zinc sulfate solution
C. Lead pellets dropped into a clear solution of magnesium sulfate
D. Shiny iron nails immersed in a blue copper sulfate solution

Answer: D

Explanation: Iron is more reactive than copper and displaces it from copper sulfate solution.

Q. Which of the following summaries contains completely true statements regarding the physical and chemical characteristics of non-metallic elements?

A. Bromine exists as a liquid at room temperature, graphite conducts electricity, and most non-metal oxides form acidic solutions when dissolved in water.
B. Phosphorus is a highly sonorous material, iodine is non-lustrous, and all non-metal oxides are strongly basic.
C. Sulfur conducts heat exceptionally well, carbon is completely non-malleable, and non-metals readily react with dilute acids to release hydrogen.
D. Nitrogen is highly reactive with cold water, selenium is incredibly ductile, and their oxides are always amphoteric.

Answer: A

Explanation: Bromine is a liquid non-metal, graphite conducts electricity, and most non-metal oxides are acidic.

Q. In a laboratory experiment, a student attempts to react a sample of powdered sulfur with clean water inside a sealed flask at boiling temperatures. What product will form from this mixture?

A. Hydrogen gas and sulfur dioxide gas
B. Sulfuric acid liquid and oxygen gas
C. No chemical products are formed
D. A thick slurry of hydrogen sulfide gas

Answer: C

Explanation: Sulfur does not react with water under normal laboratory conditions.

Q. A jeweler needs a small volume of a highly corrosive mixture called aqua regia to clean old gold ornaments. How should the laboratory technician prepare this solution?

A. By blending one part concentrated nitric acid with three parts concentrated hydrochloric acid.
B. By mixing two parts concentrated sulfuric acid with three parts dilute nitric acid.
C. By combining three parts concentrated nitric acid with one part concentrated hydrochloric acid.
D. By mixing equal volumes of concentrated phosphoric acid and concentrated acetic acid.

Answer: A

Explanation: Aqua regia is prepared by mixing concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in a 1:3 ratio.

Q. During the industrial electrolytic refining of blister copper, certain precious impurity metals do not dissolve into the electrolyte solution. Instead, they settle down at the bottom of the tank beneath the positive electrode. Which metal is recovered from this anode mud?

A. Sodium
B. Aluminum
C. Gold
D. Iron

Answer: C

Explanation: Less reactive metals like gold settle as anode mud during electrolytic refining.

Q. Element X reacts readily with atmospheric oxygen to yield a solid compound with a remarkably high melting point. This resulting compound dissolves completely in water to turn red litmus paper blue. Identify element X.

A. Calcium
B. Carbon
C. Silicon
D. Iron

Answer: A

Explanation: Calcium forms calcium oxide, which produces basic calcium hydroxide in water.

Q. Geochemical surveys show that the planet's outer crust contains a variety of elements. Which metal stands as the second most abundant metallic element within the Earth's crustal layer?

A. Oxygen
B. Silicon
C. Aluminum
D. Iron

Answer: D

Explanation: Iron is the second most abundant metal in the Earth's crust after aluminum.

Q. An industrial alloy composed of Zinc and Copper is dropped into a beaker containing dilute hydrochloric acid. The student notes the evolution of hydrogen gas bubbles. Which statement accurately describes the chemical events occurring inside the beaker?

A. Only the zinc component reacts with the acid to displace hydrogen gas.
B. Only the copper component dissolves into the acid to release hydrogen gas.
C. Both zinc and copper react simultaneously with the dilute acid.
D. The copper metal reacts exclusively with water molecules to generate gas.

Answer: A

Explanation: Zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, while copper does not react.

Q. Antique copper vessels stored in humid conditions over decades lose their metallic orange shine, gradually forming a distinct green coating on their surfaces. What is the chemical composition of this green layer?

A. Pure copper(II) oxide
B. Anhydrous copper carbonate
C. Basic copper carbonate consisting of copper carbonate and copper hydroxide
D. Soluble copper sulfate crystals

Answer: C

Explanation: The green coating on copper is basic copper carbonate (CuCO₃·Cu(OH)₂)

Quick Chapter Overview

Metals and Non-Metals is one of the most important chapters in Class 10 Science because it combines theory, reactions, real-life applications, and conceptual understanding. Students often face confusion in topics like reactivity series, ionic compounds, corrosion, and metal extraction.

This chapter mainly helps you understand:

• Physical and chemical properties of metals
• Differences between metals and non-metals
• Reactivity trends
• Formation of ionic compounds
• Extraction of metals from ores
• Corrosion and prevention methods
• Alloys and their applications

Many board questions are directly based on NCERT concepts and reaction understanding, so practicing MCQs from this chapter improves both speed and accuracy.

Why Metals and Non-Metals MCQs Are Important

MCQs from this chapter are not only useful for school exams but also for strengthening conceptual chemistry. CBSE has increased competency-based and application-oriented questions, making regular MCQ practice extremely important.

Benefits of Practicing These MCQs

Students who regularly practice chapter-wise MCQs usually perform better in assertion-reason and case-study sections.

Tips to Solve Metals and Non-Metals MCQs Faster

Read Reaction-Based Questions Carefully

Many students lose marks by missing small details like:

• dilute acid
• aqueous solution
• molten state

These words completely change the answer.

Remember Exceptions

Chemistry often includes exceptions.

Examples:

• Graphite conducts electricity
• Mercury is liquid metal
• Bromine is liquid non-metal

These are common MCQ traps.

Use Elimination Method

If two options look confusing:

• compare reactivity
• compare physical properties
• check ionic behavior

This helps remove incorrect options quickly.

Focus on NCERT Lines

Many CBSE MCQs are directly inspired from NCERT statements and examples.

Especially revise:

• reactivity series
• corrosion prevention
• ionic compound properties

Practice Assertion-Reason Questions

This chapter frequently appears in assertion-reason format because concepts are interconnected.

Focus on:

• cause-effect understanding
• reaction logic
• conceptual relationships

Common Mistakes Students Make

Confusing Metals with Metal Compounds

A metal and its compound behave differently in reactions.

Example:
Copper metal and copper sulphate are not the same thing.

Memorizing Without Understanding Reactivity

Students often memorize the reactivity series but fail in application questions.

Always understand:

which metal is more reactive

which metal can displace another

Ignoring Exceptions

Most wrong answers happen because students forget special cases.

Important examples:

graphite

mercury

iodine lustre

Mixing Corrosion and Rusting

Rusting is specific to iron.
Corrosion applies to many metals.

Forgetting Ionic Compound Properties

Students commonly forget that ionic compounds conduct electricity only in molten or dissolved state.

Topics Covered in This Chapter

This chapter includes several important chemistry concepts that frequently appear in exams.

Concepts You Will Practice

Physical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

• Malleability
• Ductility
• Conductivity
• Lustre
• Sonority

Chemical Properties of Metals

• Reaction with oxygen
• Reaction with water
• Reaction with acids
• Displacement reactions

Reactivity Series

• Most reactive metals
• Least reactive metals
• Metal displacement logic

Ionic Compounds

• Formation of ionic bonds
• Properties of ionic compounds
• Conductivity and melting points

Extraction of Metals

• Roasting
• Calcination
• Electrolytic refining

Corrosion and Prevention

• Rusting
• Galvanization
• Alloy formation

Alloys and Their Uses

• Brass
• Bronze
• Solder
• Stainless steel

Revision Notes for Metals and Non-Metals

Here are some fast revision points that help during MCQ solving.

Important Metal Properties

• Metals are generally hard, lustrous, malleable, and ductile.
• Most metals conduct heat and electricity.
• Sodium and potassium are soft metals.

Important Non-Metal Properties

• Non-metals are generally brittle and poor conductors.
• Bromine is a liquid non-metal.
• Graphite conducts electricity despite being a non-metal.

Reactivity Series Trick

More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their compounds.

Example:
Zinc can displace copper from copper sulphate solution.

Ionic Compounds Key Point

Ionic compounds:

Have high melting points

Conduct electricity in molten or aqueous state

Are generally soluble in water

Corrosion

Corrosion is the slow destruction of metals due to reactions with air and moisture.

Example:
Rusting of iron.

Alloy Reminder

Alloys improve strength and resistance to corrosion.

Example:
Stainless steel contains iron, chromium, and nickel.

Important Exam Focus Areas

Some topics from this chapter are repeatedly asked in CBSE exams.

Students should especially focus on understanding reaction trends instead of memorizing blindly.

Conclusion

Metals and Non-Metals is a highly important chapter for CBSE Class 10 Science because it builds strong chemistry fundamentals and frequently appears in board exams. Regular MCQ practice improves conceptual understanding, reaction analysis, and question-solving speed.

Instead of only memorizing reactions, focus on understanding how metals and non-metals behave in different situations. That approach makes MCQs much easier and improves confidence during exams.

Practice consistently, revise smartly, and use chapter-wise MCQs to strengthen your preparation step by step.