Metals and Non-metals — Class 10 Science PYQs

28 previous-year board questions (2026) with marking-scheme solutions, grouped by topic and marks.

Try each question first, then press (or tap Show Solution) to reveal the answer. Press again for the next question.

Marks:

Physical properties of metals and non-metals

1 Mark Questions
11 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Which of the following is a poor conductor of electricity ?
  • (a)$\ce{Pb}$
  • (b)$\ce{Cu}$
  • (c)$\ce{Ag}$
  • (d)$\ce{Al}$
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(A) / $\ce{Pb}$ (1)
21 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Solder is an alloy of
  • (a)copper and zinc
  • (b)lead and zinc
  • (c)lead and tin
  • (d)copper and tin
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(C)/ Lead and Tin (1 Mark)
31 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Study the following table and select the correct option :
  • (a)Salt: $\ce{NaCl}$, Acid used: $\ce{HCl}$, Base used: $\ce{NaOH}$, Nature of Salt: Basic
  • (b)Salt: $\ce{Na2CO3}$, Acid used: $\ce{H2CO3}$, Base used: $\ce{NaOH}$, Nature of Salt: Neutral
  • (c)Salt: $\ce{Na2SO4}$, Acid used: $\ce{H2SO4}$, Base used: $\ce{NaOH}$, Nature of Salt: Acidic
  • (d)Salt: $\ce{CH3COONa}$, Acid used: $\ce{CH3COOH}$, Base used: $\ce{NaOH}$, Nature of Salt: Basic
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(D)/ $\ce{CH3COONa}$ | $\ce{CH3COOH}$ | $\ce{NaOH}$ | Basic (1 Mark)
41 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Which one of the following non-metals exists as liquid at room temperature ?
  • (a)Bromine
  • (b)Sulphur
  • (c)Iodine
  • (d)Chlorine
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(A)/Bromine (1 Mark)

Chemical properties of metals

1 Mark Questions
51 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
When an element ‘X’ reacts with water, it starts floating. Identify the element 'X' :
  • (a)Potassium
  • (b)Calcium
  • (c)Sodium
  • (d)Iron
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(B) / Calcium (1 Mark)
61 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
When $\ce{Mg}$ metal is treated with hot water, it starts floating on the surface of the water. The reason for its different behaviour is :
  • (a)$\ce{Mg}$ is a lighter element than water.
  • (b)$\ce{Mg}$ reacts with water to produce $\ce{H2}$ gas which helps in floating.
  • (c)$\ce{Mg}$ reacts with water to produce $\ce{N2}$ gas which helps in floating.
  • (d)$\ce{Mg}$ reacts with water to form $\ce{CO2}$ gas which helps in floating.
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(B) / Mg reacts with water to produce $\ce{H2}$ gas which helps in floating. (1 Mark)
71 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
The reaction of calcium with cold water is :
  • (a)Less violent, but the heat evolved is sufficient for the hydrogen to catch fire.
  • (b)Very violent and exothermic and hydrogen catches fire.
  • (c)Exothermic, but the heat evolved is not sufficient for the hydrogen to catch fire.
  • (d)Slow and endothermic.
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(C)/ Exothermic, but the heat evolved is not sufficient for the hydrogen to catch fire.
81 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Which of the following is an amphoteric oxide ?
  • (a)$\ce{Na2O}$
  • (b)$\ce{K2O}$
  • (c)$\ce{CO2}$
  • (d)$\ce{Al2O3}$
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(D)/ $\ce{Al2O3}$ (1 Mark)
91 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Which gas is evolved when magnesium metal reacts with very dilute $\ce{HNO3}$ ?
  • (a)Oxygen
  • (b)Nitrogen
  • (c)Hydrogen
  • (d)Nitrogen Dioxide
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(C)/ Hydrogen (1 Mark)
2 Marks Questions
102 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Write balanced equations for the reactions of the following :
(a) Iron with steam
(b) Calcium with water
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(a) $\ce{3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g) -> Fe3O4(s) + 4H2(g)}$ (1 Mark)
(b) $\ce{Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) -> Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)}$ (1 Mark) (Deduct ½ mark for no/incorrect balancing in each case)
4 Marks Questions
114 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
When metals are burnt in air, they form oxides. Metal oxides are generally basic in nature. But some metal oxides show both acidic as well as basic behaviour. Most metal oxides are insoluble in water, but some of these dissolve in water to form alkalis. Different metals show different reactivities towards oxygen. Metals such as sodium and potassium react vigorously whereas metals like silver and gold do not react with oxygen even at high temperature.
(a) Why are metals like sodium and potassium kept immersed in kerosene oil ?
(b) Why does copper metal turn black on heating?
(c) (i) What are the amphoteric oxides ? Give two examples.
OR
(c) (ii) (I) Name a water soluble metal oxide. Write the chemical equation for its reaction with water.
(II) Why do silver and gold not react with oxygen even at high temperature ?
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(a)Because of their high reactivity they react vigorously with air and water and catch fire if kept in open. (1 Mark)
(b)Copper combines with oxygen to form $\ce{CuO}$ or Copper (II) Oxide, a black oxide/ $\ce{2Cu(s) + O2 -> 2CuO(s)}$ (1 Mark)
(c) (i) Oxides which react with both acid and base to produce salt and water/ metal oxide which shows both acidic as well as basic behaviour. (1 Mark)
Examples: $\ce{Al2O3}$, $\ce{ZnO}$ (½+½ Marks)
(c) (ii) (I) • $\ce{Na2O/K2O/CaO}$/Sodium oxide /Potassium oxide/Calcium oxide (½ Mark)
• $\ce{Na2O+H2O -> 2NaOH}$ / $\ce{K2O+H2O -> 2KOH}$ / $\ce{CaO+H2O -> Ca(OH)2}$ (1 Mark)
(II) Because of the least reactive nature of silver and gold. (½ Mark)

Reactivity series

1 Mark Questions
121 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Which one of the following metals does not react with cold water?
  • (a)Sodium
  • (b)Potassium
  • (c)Calcium
  • (d)Magnesium
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(D)/ Magnesium (1 Mark)
131 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Which one of the following metals neither reacts with cold water nor reacts with hot water but reacts with steam ?
  • (a)Sodium
  • (b)Calcium
  • (c)Iron
  • (d)Magnesium
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(C) / Iron (1 Mark)
141 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
On reaction with dilute $\ce{HCl}$, which of the following pair of metals will evolve hydrogen gas ?
  • (a)copper and zinc
  • (b)copper and iron
  • (c)silver and magnesium
  • (d)magnesium and aluminium
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(D)/ magnesium and aluminium (1 Mark)
2 Marks Questions
152 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(c) (ii) (I) Why highly reactive metals cannot be obtained from their oxides by using carbon as a reducing agent ?
(II) Why solder, an alloy of lead and tin, is used for welding electrical wires together ?
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(a) Because it is easier to obtain metal from its oxide. /
Because it is easier to reduce metal oxide to metal (1)
(b)
$\ce{Fe2O3(s)+ 2Al(s) -> 2Fe(l) + Al2O3(s) + Heat}$
$\ce{3MnO2(s) + 4Al(s) -> 3Mn(l) + 2Al2O3(s) + Heat}$ (1)
(balancing is optional) (any one equation)
(c) (i) $\ce{2Cu2S + 3O2(g) ->[Heat] 2Cu2O(s) + 2SO2 (g)}$ (1)
$\ce{2Cu2O + Cu2S ->[Heat] 6Cu(s) + SO2(g)}$ (1)
OR
(c)(ii) (I) Because highly reactive metals have more affinity for
oxygen than carbon. (1)
(II) Because of its low melting point. (1)
162 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
One student was comparing the reactivity of different metals for his science project. He added iron filings in four test tubes A, B, C and D containing aqueous solutions of $\ce{ZnSO4}$, $\ce{CuSO4}$, $\ce{FeSO4}$ and $\ce{Al2(SO4)3}$.
(i) In which of the test tubes will he observe the reaction to be the most vigorous and why ?
(ii) Write a balanced equation for the reaction involved.
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(i)
Test tube B
Iron is more reactive than copper, so iron can displace copper from copper sulphate solution.
(ii) $\ce{Fe(s) + CuSO4 (aq)->FeSO4 (aq)+Cu(s)}$

Ionic compounds: formation and properties

1 Mark Questions
171 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Comment on the following properties of ionic compounds and give reason in support of your answer :
(i) Physical nature
(ii) Melting and boiling points
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(i) Hard and brittle solid because of strong force of attraction between positive and negative ions.
(ii) High melting and boiling point because a considerable amount of energy is required to break the strong inter-ionic attraction.
5 Marks Questions
185 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(i) Give reasons for the following :
(I) Ionic compound have generally high melting points and boiling points.
(II) Solder, an alloy of lead and tin, is used for welding electrical wires.
(III) Carbon cannot reduce the oxides of $\ce{Na}$ or $\ce{Mg}$.
(ii) The reaction of compound ‘X’ with aluminium is used to join railway tracks :
(I) Identify the compound ‘X’.
(II) Name the reaction.
(III) Write the balanced chemical equation of the reaction of compound ‘X’ with aluminium.
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(i) (I) A considerable amount of energy is required to break strong inter-ionic attraction. (1 Mark)
(II) Solder has low melting point. (1 Mark)
(III) Because Na or Mg have more affinity for oxygen than carbon. (1 Mark)
(ii) (I) $\ce{Fe2O3}$/ Iron (III) oxide (½ Mark)
(II) Thermit reaction (½ Mark)
(III) $\ce{Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) -> 2Fe(l) + Al2O3(s) + Heat}$ (1 Mark)
(Deduct ½ mark if no/ incorrect balancing)

Occurrence and extraction of metals (metallurgy)

1 Mark Questions
191 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Alloys are homogeneous mixture of metal with a metal or non-metal. Which among the following alloys contain non-metal as one of its constituents ?
  • (a)Brass
  • (b)Bronze
  • (c)Amalgam
  • (d)Steel
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(D) / Steel (1 Mark)
201 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Which one among the following alloys has mercury as one of its constituents ?
  • (a)Stainless steel
  • (b)Brass
  • (c)Zinc amalgam
  • (d)Bronze
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(C)/Zinc amalgam (1 Mark)
2 Marks Questions
212 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below :
Most of metals occur in combined state in form of ores. Carbonate ores are converted into oxides by calcination and sulphide ores by roasting. Oxides are reduced with suitable reducing agent like carbon to get free metal. Highly reactive metals like – $\ce{Al}$, $\ce{Mg}$ are also used as reducing agents to obtain metal from their oxides. Most reactive metals are obtained by electrolytic reduction of their molten ores. Alloying is a very good method of improving the properties of a metal. We can get desired properties by this method. The electrical conductivity and melting point of an alloy is less than that of pure metals.
(a) Why carbonate or sulphide ores are converted to oxides before extraction of metal from it?
(b) Write a reaction in which Aluminium is used as a reducing agent to obtain metal from its oxide.
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(a) Because it is easier to obtain metal from its oxide. /
Because it is easier to reduce metal oxide to metal (1)
(b)
$\ce{Fe2O3(s)+ 2Al(s) -> 2Fe(l) + Al2O3(s) + Heat}$
$\ce{3MnO2(s) + 4Al(s) -> 3Mn(l) + 2Al2O3(s) + Heat}$ (1)
(balancing is optional) (any one equation)
(c) (i) $\ce{2Cu2S + 3O2(g) ->[Heat] 2Cu2O(s) + 2SO2 (g)}$ (1)
$\ce{2Cu2O + Cu2S ->[Heat] 6Cu(s) + SO2(g)}$ (1)
OR
(c)(ii) (I) Because highly reactive metals have more affinity for
oxygen than carbon. (1)
(II) Because of its low melting point. (1)
222 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(c) (i) How is copper obtained from its ore ($\ce{Cu2S}$) ? Give equations of the reactions.
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(a) Because it is easier to obtain metal from its oxide. /
Because it is easier to reduce metal oxide to metal (1)
(b)
$\ce{Fe2O3(s)+ 2Al(s) -> 2Fe(l) + Al2O3(s) + Heat}$
$\ce{3MnO2(s) + 4Al(s) -> 3Mn(l) + 2Al2O3(s) + Heat}$ (1)
(balancing is optional) (any one equation)
(c) (i) $\ce{2Cu2S + 3O2(g) ->[Heat] 2Cu2O(s) + 2SO2 (g)}$ (1)
$\ce{2Cu2O + Cu2S ->[Heat] 6Cu(s) + SO2(g)}$ (1)
OR
(c)(ii) (I) Because highly reactive metals have more affinity for
oxygen than carbon. (1)
(II) Because of its low melting point. (1)
232 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(c) (i) With the help of chemical equations, show the extraction of copper from its ore
ce{Cu2S}.
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Solution not available.
3 Marks Questions
243 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
OR
(b) Give reasons :
(i) Metal sulphides and carbonates should be converted to their metal oxides in the process of extraction of metals.
(ii) Aluminium oxide is considered as an amphoteric oxide.
(iii) Metals like $\ce{Na}$, $\ce{K}$, $\ce{Ca}$ and $\ce{Mg}$ are never found in their free state in nature.
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OR
(b) (i) It is easier to obtain metal from its metal oxide / It is easier to reduce metal oxide to metal.
(ii) Aluminium Oxide can react with both acids as well as bases to form salt and water.
$\ce{Al2O3 + 6HCl -> 2AlCl3 + 3H2O}$
$\ce{Al2O3 + 2NaOH -> 2NaAlO2 + H2O}$
(iii)As they are highly reactive metals so exist in combined state.
253 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(i) Which method will be used to convert each of them to their respective metal oxides ?
(a) Carbonate ore (b) Sulphide ore
(ii) Write a chemical reaction to illustrate the use of aluminium for joining cracked railway tracks.
(iii) During extraction of metals, electrolytic refining is used to obtain pure metals. Which material will be used as anode and cathode for the refining of copper metal by this process ?
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(i) (a) Carbonate ore: Calcination
$\ce{ZnCO3(s) ->[Heat] ZnO(s) + CO2(g)}$ (½ Mark)
(b) Sulphide ore : Roasting
$\ce{2ZnS(s) + 3O2(g) ->[Heat] 2ZnO(s) + 2SO2(g)}$ (½ Mark)
(ii) $\ce{Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) -> 2Fe(l) + Al2O3(s) + Heat}$ (1 Mark)
(iii) • Anode: Impure copper rod. (½ Mark)
• Cathode: Pure copper strip. (½ Mark)
263 Marks · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
(i) Write all the reactions involved in the extraction of $\ce{Zn}$ from $\ce{ZnS}$.
(ii) Hydrogen gas is not evolved when most of the metals react with nitric acid. Give reason.
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(i) $\ce{2ZnS(s) + 3O2(g) ->[Heat] 2ZnO(s) + 2SO2(g)}$ (1 Mark)
$\ce{ZnO(s) + C(s) -> Zn(s) + CO(g)}$ (1 Mark)
(ii) Nitric acid is a strong oxidising agent and oxidises $\ce{H2}$ gas produced to water. (1 Mark)

Corrosion and its prevention

1 Mark Questions
271 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
A student notices that her silver jewellery turned dull and had a grey-black coating over it after wearing for a few months. What results in the change in colour of the silver metal ?
  • (a)The polish over the jewellery was removed after wearing for a few months.
  • (b)The jewellery comes in contact with air, moisture and acids and corrodes.
  • (c)Dust particles over the jewellery change its colour.
  • (d)Its colour changes due to rusting.
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(B) / The jewellery comes in contact with air, moisture and acids and corrodes. (1 Mark)
281 Mark · March 2026 · Standardopen ↗
Galvanization is a process of coating iron articles with a thin layer of zinc to prevent iron from rusting. The iron is protected even if the zinc coating is scratched and iron is exposed. Which of the following is/are true about how zinc prevents the rusting of iron ?
(P) A galvanised iron article does not undergo oxidation.
(Q) The zinc coating prevents contact of iron with air.
(R) Zinc provides continuous protection to iron from rusting.
  • (a)Only (P)
  • (b)Only (Q)
  • (c)(Q) and (R)
  • (d)(P) and (Q)
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(C)/ (Q) and (R) (1)