A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil.

Reasons for applying mulch include

conservation of soil moisture, improving fertility and health of the soil, reducing weed growth and
enhancing the visual appeal of the area. A mulch is usually, but not exclusively, organic in nature 

Metals
 Metals are described as chemical elements that readily lose valence electrons to
form positive ions (cations).
Examples: Aluminium, copper, iron, tin, gold.
 Around 90 of the total 118 elements are metals.
To know more about Metals, visit here.

Physical Properties
Physical Properties of Nonmetals
 Occur as solids, liquids, and gases at room temperature
 Brittle
 Non-malleable
 Non-ductile
 Non-sonorous
 Bad conductors of heat and electricity

Exceptions in Physical Properties

 Alkali metals (Na, K, Li) can be cut using a knife.
 Mercury is a liquid metal.
 Lead and mercury are poor conductors of heat.
 Mercury expands significantly for the slightest change in temperature.
 Gallium and cesium have a very low melting point
 Iodine is non-metal but it has lustre.
 Graphite conducts electricity.
 Diamond conducts heat and has a very high melting point.

Physical Properties of Metals

● Hard and have a high tensile strength
● Solids at room temperature, except mercury, which is liquid at room temperature.
● Sonorous
● Good conductors of heat and electricity
● Malleable, i.e., can be beaten into thin sheets
● Ductile, i.e., can be drawn into thin wires
● High melting and boiling points (except Cesium (Cs) and Gallium (Ga))
● Dense, (except alkali metals). Osmium – highest density and lithium – least density
● Lustrous
● Silver-grey in colour, (except gold and copper)

Non-Metals
Non-metals are those elements, which do not exhibit the properties of metals.
Examples: Carbon, Boron, etc.

Chemical Properties of Metals

● Alkali metals (Li, Na, K, etc) react vigorously with water and oxygen or air.
● Mg reacts with hot water.
● Al, Fe, and Zn react with steam.
● Cu, Ag, Pt, Au do not react with water or dilute acids.

Chemical Properties
Displacement Reactions
A more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its compound or solution.
i) Zn(s)+CuSO4(aq)→ZnSO4(aq)+Cu(s)
ii) 2Al(s)+Fe2O3(molten)→Al2O3(s)+2Fe(molten)

Metals Reaction with Oxygen (Burnt in Air)

Metal + Oxygen → Metal oxide (basic)
● Na and K are kept immersed in kerosene oil as they react vigorously with air and catch fire.
4K(s)+O2(g)→2K2O(s) (vigorous reaction)
● Mg, Al, Zn, Pb react slowly with air and form a protective layer that prevents corrosion.
2Mg(s)+O2(g)→2MgO(s) (Mg burns with a white dazzling light)
4Al(s)+3O2(g)→2Al2O3(s)
● Silver, platinum, and gold don’t burn or react with air.

Basic Oxides of Metals

Some metallic oxides get dissolved in water and form alkalis. Their aqueous solution turns red litmus
blue.
Na2O(s)+H2O(l)→2NaOH(aq)
K2O(s)+H2O(l)→2KOH(aq)

Amphoteric Oxides of Metals

Amphoteric oxides are metal oxides which react with both acids as well as bases to form salt and
water.
For example – Al2O3,ZnO,PbO,SnO
Al2O3(s)+6HCl(aq)→2AlCl3(aq)+3H2O(l)
Al2O3(s)+2NaOH(aq)→2NaAlO2(aq)+H2O(l)
ZnO(s)+2HCl(aq)→ZnCl2(aq)+H2O(l)
ZnO(s)+2NaOH(aq)→Na2ZnO2(aq)+H2O(l)
 

CBSE Class 8 Science Notes Chapter 4

Materials: Metals and Non-Metals
Physical Properties of Metals:
Metals are:

 hard to touch.
 lustrous i.e., freshly Cut surfaces of metals have characteristic shining.
 malleable; the property of metals by which they can be beaten mW thin sheets is
called malleability.
 ductile; the property of metal by which it can be drawn into wires is called ductility.
 sonorous i.e., metals produce ringing sound when struck on a hard surface.
 Good conductors of heat and electricity.

Metals like sodium and potassium are soft and can be cut with a knife.

Mercury is the only metal which is found in the liquid state at room temperature.

Physical Properties of Non-metals:

 Non-metals are soft and dull (e.g., coal and sulphur).

 Non-metals are generally brittle, i.e., they break down into a powdery mass on
tapping with a hammer.
 They are not sonorous.
 They are poor conductors of heat and electricity.

Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-metals:

Reaction with Oxygen: Both metals and non-metals when burnt in oxygen from their
oxides. Oxides of metals are basic in nature while that of non-metals are generally
acidic in nature e.g.,

Reaction with Water: Some metals react with water to produce metal hydroxide and
hydrogen gas. Generally, non-metals do not react with water.

Reaction with Acids: Metals react with dii. acids and produce metal salt and hydrogen
gas. Generally, non-metals do not react with dil. acids.

Reaction with Bases: Metals react with bases to produce hydrogen gas.

Displacement Reaction: More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their
metal compounds in aqueous solutions.

Uses of Metals and Non-metals

 Metals are used in making machinery automobiles, aeroplanes. trains, satellites,

industrial gadgets, cooking utensils, water boilers etc.
 Non-metals are also used in day-to-day life. Some examples are:
 oxygen is essential for life.
 nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are used as fertilizers.
 chlorine is used as a water purifier.

Atom: Atom is the smallest particle of matter which cannot be divided further by any
physical means. Atoms are the basic units from which molecules and ions are formed.

Conductor: Substances which allow heat/electricity to pass through them are called
conductors of heat/electricity

Displacement reaction: More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their
compounds in aqueous solutions.
Ductility: The property of metals by which they can be drawn into wires is called
ductility

Elements: Substances whose molecules contain only one type of atoms are known as
elements.

Hardness: Metals are hard, on the other hand, non-metals are generally brittle.

Malleability: The property of metals by which they can be beaten into thin sheets is
called malleability.

Metals: The materials which are generally hard, lustrous, malleable, ductile, sonorous
and good conductors of heat and electricity are called metals

Metalloids: Elements which possess characters of both metals and non-metals are
called met.alloids.

Non-metals: Materials which are soft, dull in appearance, brittle, not sonorous and poor
conductors of heat and electricity are called non-metals.

Sonorous: Metals are called sonorous because they produce a specific ringing sound.