Chapter 3 — Metals and Non-metals

NCERT Class 10 Science Chapter 3 covers Metals and Non-metals, explaining their physical and chemical properties, reactivity series, extraction from ores, ionic compound formation, corrosion, and alloys.

Chapter 3 of NCERT Class 10 Science classifies elements as metals and non-metals based on physical properties (lustre, malleability, ductility, conductivity, sonority) and chemical behaviour. Metals form basic oxides, react with water and acids to produce hydrogen, and are arranged in a reactivity series from potassium (most reactive) to gold (least reactive). The chapter covers extraction techniques—electrolysis for highly reactive metals, carbon reduction for moderately reactive ones, and simple heating for least reactive metals—as well as ionic compound formation, corrosion of iron, and improvement of metal properties through alloying.

1. 01Metals are lustrous, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity; most are solids at room temperature, with mercury being the only liquid metal.
2. 02Non-metals are generally poor conductors and non-malleable; exceptions include graphite (conducts electricity) and iodine (lustrous).
3. 03Metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides; amphoteric oxides like aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) and zinc oxide react with both acids and bases.
4. 04The reactivity series ranks metals from most reactive (K, Na, Ca) to least reactive (Cu, Hg, Ag, Au); a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its salt solution.
5. 05Metals high in the activity series (Na, Mg, Al) are extracted by electrolytic reduction; moderately reactive metals (Zn, Fe) are obtained by roasting/calcination followed by reduction with carbon.
6. 06Corrosion of iron (rusting) requires both water and oxygen; prevention methods include galvanisation, painting, and alloying (e.g., stainless steel with nickel and chromium).