Metals and Non-metals
Punjab Board · Class 10 · Science
Complete topic list for Metals and Non-metals in Punjab Board Class 10 Science. Key concepts, sub-topics, and what to focus on for board exams.
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Physical Properties of Metals and Non-metals
- Metals are generally solid at room temperature. Exception: Mercury (Hg) is a liquid metal at room temperature.
- Metals have a shiny appearance called metallic lustre. Non-metals generally lack lustre. Exception: Iodine is a lustrous non-metal.
- Metals are malleable (can be beaten into thin sheets). Gold and silver are the most malleable metals.
Chemical Properties of Metals – Reactions with Oxygen, Water, and Acids
- Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide (basic in nature). Example: 2Cu + O₂ → 2CuO (black copper oxide).
- Aluminium forms aluminium oxide: 4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃.
- Amphoteric oxides react with BOTH acids and bases. Examples: Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) and Zinc oxide (ZnO).
Reactivity Series and Displacement Reactions
- The reactivity series arranges metals in DECREASING order of reactivity: K > Na > Ca > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Pb > [H] > Cu > Hg > Ag > Au.
- Hydrogen is placed in the reactivity series to compare metal reactivity — metals above H displace it from dilute acids.
- Metals below H in the series (Cu, Hg, Ag, Au) do NOT react with dilute acids to produce H₂.
Ionic Compounds – Formation and Properties
- Metals tend to LOSE electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration (like noble gases) — they form positive ions (cations).
- Non-metals tend to GAIN electrons — they form negative ions (anions).
- When a metal transfers electrons to a non-metal, ionic bonds are formed. The resulting compound is called an ionic compound or electrovalent compound.
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