Metals and Non-metals Practice Questions
20 free Metals and Non-metals practice questions for the General Science. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which property is generally characteristic of metals?
- A Good electrical conductivity
- B Poor conductivity of electricity
- C High brittleness
- D Low melting point
Correct answer: Good electrical conductivity
Metals are typically good conductors of electricity due to the presence of free electrons that move easily through the metal lattice. This property makes them widely used in electrical wiring and electronic devices.
Which of the following elements is classified as a non-metal?
- A Sulfur
- B Iron
- C Copper
- D Aluminum
Correct answer: Sulfur
Sulfur is a non-metal and belongs to group 16 of the periodic table. Non-metals generally have poor electrical conductivity and lack metallic luster.
Which property describes the ability of metals to be drawn into thin wires?
- A Ductility
- B Malleability
- C Brittleness
- D Hardness
Correct answer: Ductility
Ductility is the property that allows metals to be stretched into wires without breaking. Metals like copper and aluminum are commonly used for wiring because of this property.
Which property describes the ability of metals to be hammered into thin sheets?
- A Malleability
- B Ductility
- C Compressibility
- D Plasticity
Correct answer: Malleability
Malleability refers to the ability of a metal to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets. Gold and aluminum are examples of highly malleable metals.
Which of the following is a typical physical property of non-metals?
- A Brittle nature
- B High thermal conductivity
- C Shiny surface
- D Malleability
Correct answer: Brittle nature
Non-metals are generally brittle when solid, meaning they break easily when struck. Unlike metals, they cannot be hammered into sheets or drawn into wires.
Which metal reacts vigorously with water to produce hydrogen gas?
- A Sodium
- B Copper
- C Magnesium
- D Gold
Correct answer: Sodium
Sodium reacts vigorously with cold water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, releasing enough heat to ignite the gas. Magnesium reacts only very slowly with cold water, while copper and gold do not react with water at all.
Which non-metal is essential for respiration in living organisms?
- A Nitrogen
- B Oxygen
- C Carbon
- D Chlorine
Correct answer: Oxygen
Oxygen is a non-metal that plays a critical role in respiration. It helps release energy from food during cellular respiration.
Which metal is commonly used for electrical wiring due to its high conductivity?
- A Copper
- B Iron
- C Tungsten
- D Zinc
Correct answer: Copper
Copper is widely used in electrical wiring because it has excellent electrical conductivity and is highly ductile, so it can be drawn into thin wires. Tungsten is used for lamp filaments, and iron and zinc are far poorer conductors.
Which of the following elements is a metalloid with properties of both metals and non-metals?
- A Silicon
- B Magnesium
- C Oxygen
- D Sodium
Correct answer: Silicon
Silicon is a metalloid, so it shows properties intermediate between metals and non-metals, including semiconducting behaviour. Sodium and magnesium are true metals, while oxygen is a non-metal.
Which gas is produced when metals react with dilute acids?
- A Oxygen
- B Hydrogen
- C Nitrogen
- D Carbon dioxide
Correct answer: Hydrogen
When many metals react with dilute acids, hydrogen gas is released. For example, zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce zinc chloride and hydrogen gas.
Which of the following metals is liquid at room temperature?
- A Mercury
- B Iron
- C Copper
- D Aluminum
Correct answer: Mercury
Mercury is the only metal that remains liquid at standard room temperature. Its unique physical properties make it useful in thermometers and barometers.
Which non-metal is used in water purification as a disinfectant?
- A Chlorine
- B Nitrogen
- C Carbon
- D Phosphorus
Correct answer: Chlorine
Chlorine is commonly used to disinfect drinking water and swimming pools. It kills harmful microorganisms and helps maintain water safety.
Which property of metals allows them to reflect light effectively?
- A Metallic luster
- B Brittleness
- C Electrical conductivity
- D Reactivity
Correct answer: Metallic luster
Metallic luster is the shiny appearance metals show because their free electrons reflect light striking the surface. Electrical conductivity and reactivity are real metal properties but describe charge flow and chemical behaviour, not light reflection.
Which element is a non-metal that exists as a diatomic molecule in nature?
- A Oxygen
- B Sulfur
- C Carbon
- D Phosphorus
Correct answer: Oxygen
Oxygen occurs naturally as O2, a molecule made of two oxygen atoms. Sulfur exists as S8 rings, phosphorus as P4 units, and carbon as giant covalent structures such as graphite and diamond, so none of them are diatomic.
Which metal is most commonly used in making aircraft due to its low density?
- A Iron
- B Aluminum
- C Copper
- D Titanium
Correct answer: Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight yet strong and resists corrosion through a protective oxide layer, so it forms the bulk of most airframes. Titanium is used only for selected high-stress parts because it is denser and far costlier, while iron and copper are much heavier.
Which of the following is a chemical property of metals?
- A Good conductivity of heat and electricity
- B High density
- C Formation of positive ions
- D Metallic luster
Correct answer: Formation of positive ions
Metals tend to lose electrons during chemical reactions, forming positive ions called cations. This property is fundamental to metallic reactivity.
Which non-metal is essential for making fertilizers and is found in the atmosphere?
- A Chlorine
- B Sulfur
- C Bromine
- D Nitrogen
Correct answer: Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a major component of the Earth's atmosphere and is essential for plant growth. It is widely used in fertilizers to improve crop yield.
Which metal is known for its high resistance to corrosion and is often used in jewelry?
- A Iron
- B Zinc
- C Magnesium
- D Gold
Correct answer: Gold
Gold is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation, making it ideal for jewelry and decorative items. It also has a distinctive metallic luster.
Which non-metal is commonly used in the production of pencils?
- A Sulfur
- B Nitrogen
- C Phosphorus
- D Carbon
Correct answer: Carbon
Graphite, a form of carbon, is used in pencils for writing. It leaves marks on paper due to its layered structure that easily flakes off.
Which metal is extracted from bauxite ore?
- A Iron
- B Copper
- C Aluminum
- D Magnesium
Correct answer: Aluminum
Aluminum is extracted from bauxite, its principal ore, by purifying the ore to alumina and then reducing it electrolytically. Iron comes mainly from haematite, copper from copper pyrites, and magnesium largely from seawater and dolomite.