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Notes On Materials Metals and Non Metals
Notes On Materials Metals and Non Metals
Notes
1. Metals:
Those materials which possess the characteristic of being hard, shiny, malleable, fusible,
ductile, etc. are termed as metal. Few examples of metals are iron, gold, silver, aluminium,
copper, etc.
Due to presence of this property, the shape of iron nail and aluminium wire can be changed
on beating. The silver foils used for decorating sweets and the aluminium foil used for
wrapping food are possible because of malleability property of metals.
(b) Conductivity:
It is that property of metals which allows the current and heat to pass through them easily.
Example- Metals like iron rod, nail, copper wire, etc. are good conductors of electricity.
(c) Ductility:
It is that property of metals which allows them to be drawn into the wires.Example: Metals
like aluminium and copper wires are used in electric connection.
(d) Sonorous:
It is that property of metals which produces ringing sounds on hitting.
(e) Lustrous:
It is that property of metals which makes them shine and their structures are capable of
reflecting incident light.
Notes: Metals like sodium and potassium are soft and can be cut with a knife. Mercury is the
only metal which is found in liquid state at room temperature. These are exceptions
2. Non -Metals:
Those materials which do not possess the characteristics of metals are termed as non-metal.
Materials like coal and sulphur are soft and dull in appearance. They break down into
powdery mass on tapping with hammer. They are non-sonorous and are poor conductors of
heat and electricity. Few examples of non metals are sulphur, carbon, oxygen etc.
Example-2: If a copper vessel is left open in presence of the moist air, then, a dull
green coating will be observed on it. The green material is a mixture of copper
hydroxide (Cu(OH)2) and copper carbonate (CuCO3). Following is the reaction to
express it:
2Cu + H2O + CO2 + O2→Cu (OH)2 + CuCO3
5. Displacement Reaction:
During reaction if a metal replaces another metal from its compound then such reactions are
called displacement reaction.
Metals can actually be arranged as per their reactivity order, thus, a more reactive metal will
always displace a less reactive metal from its compound but a less reactive one cannot
replace a more reactive metal.
Example : When zinc is reacted with copper sulphate solution, then copper will be displaced
by zinc as zinc is more reactive than copper. The blue colour of copper sulphate disappears
and a powdery red mass of copper is deposited at the bottom of the beaker. The reaction-
Copper Sulphate (CuSO4) + Zinc (Zn) → Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4) + Copper (Cu)
Applications of Metals:
(i) Metals are generally used in making of machines, automobiles, airplanes, cars, satellites,
etc.
(ii) Some metals are used in making wires like copper, etc.
(iii) Some metals are used for making ornaments like gold, silver, etc.
Electrolytic Refining
The process of purifying impure metal to obtain pure metal on the passage of electric
current is called electrolytic refining.
Metals like copper, zinc, nickel, silver, tin, gold etc., are refined electrolytically.
Anode – impure or crude metal
Cathode – a thin strip of pure metal
Electrolyte – aqueous solution of a metal salt From anode (oxidation) – metal ions are
released into the solution
At cathode (reduction) – equivalent amount of metal from solution is deposited
Impurities deposit at the bottom of the anode.