Study Important Questions for Class 8

Science
Chapter 4 – Materials: Metals and Non-Metals

Multiple Choice Questions 1 Mark

1. A non-metal which is essential for living being during breathing is

________.
A. Nitrogen
B. Hydrogen
C. Carbon
D. Oxygen
Ans: D. Oxygen

2. Metallic oxides are ____________ in nature.

A. Acidic
B. Neutral
C. Basic
D. none of the above
Ans: C. Basic

3. What happens when magnesium and oxygen react?

A. magnesium hydroxide is formed
B. magnesium oxide is formed with the liberation of energy
C. magnesium does not react with oxygen
D. magnesium oxide is formed along with hydrogen gas
Ans: B. magnesium oxide is formed with the liberation of energy

4. Which one of the metal is highly reactive when exposed to oxygen and
water?
A. Iron
B. Copper
C. Gold
D. Sodium
Ans: D. Sodium

5. Which one of the following is NOT a metal?

A. Sulphur
B. Mercury

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 C. Sodium
D. Calcium
Ans: A. Sulphur

6. Which one of the following statements is false about metals?

A. Metals are sonorous in nature.
B. Metals are bad conductor of heat and electricity.
C. Metals are hard and lustrous in appearance.
D. Metals show the property of malleability.
Ans: B. Metals are bad conductor of heat and electricity.

7. How many naturally occurring elements are there?

A. 81
B. 69
C. 94
D. 42
Ans: C. 94

Very Short Answer Questions 1 Mark

1. Name the metal which is used for decorating sweets.

Ans: Silver is used for decorating sweets.

2. A metal which is soft and can be cut with a knife is ___________.

Ans: A metal which is soft and can be cut with a knife is Sodium / Potassium.

3. Which is the only metal found in the liquid state at room temperature?
Ans: Mercury is the only metal found in the liquid state at room temperature.

4. An example of non-metal.
Ans: Carbon is an example of non-metal.

5. Name the non-metal which is very reactive when exposed to air.

Ans: Phosphorous is a non-metal which is very reactive when exposed to air.

6. The ash obtained on burning magnesium ribbon is dissolved in water

is___________ in nature.
Ans: The ash obtained on burning magnesium ribbon is dissolved in water is
basic in nature.

Short Answer Questions 3 Marks

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1. Classify the following into malleable and non-malleable substances.
aluminium, oxygen, gold, sulphur, potassium, carbon
Ans: Malleable substances are: aluminium, gold, potassium
Non-malleable substances are: oxygen, sulphur, carbon

2. When a zinc sulphate and copper turning are dissolved in water, reaction
does not take place. Why?
Ans: When a zinc sulphate and copper turning are dissolved in water, reaction
does not take place since we are trying to replace a more reactive metal with a
less reactive metal which is not possible. We can conclude zinc is more reactive
as compared to copper by looking at the reactivity series as well as the
experimental results.

3. Complete the following reactions.

a. 2Cu  H 2O  CO 2  O 2 
Ans: 2Cu  H 2O  CO 2  O 2  Cu  OH 2  CuCO3

b. SO 3  H 2O 
Ans: SO3  H 2O  H 2SO4

4. Define the following.

a. Malleability
Ans: Malleability is defined as the property of metallic substances through
which they can be beaten to form thin sheets of metals.

b. Ductility
Ans: Ductility is defined as the property of metallic substances through which
they can be drawn into wires.

5. With an activity show that metals are sonorous.

Ans: To show that metals are sonorous take two similar boxes one made up of
wood while the other made up of any metal. Now, hit the boxes against each other
and note which one makes a prolonged ringing sound. The box that makes the
ringing sound will turn out to be a metal. Because of this property of metals, they
are known to be sonorous.

6. Rajesh has four materials – wooden cork, copper coin, iron nail, ball pen
in front of him. He wants to know the materials which show the property
of ductility. Help him to find out the materials.

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Ans: Metals show the property of ductility so Rajesh should find out which
materials are made up of metals. We know that metals are sonorous, so Rajesh
can simply strike the materials against each other and note which items make a
ringing sound. He will find out that iron nail and copper coin are metals while
wooden cork and ball pen are made up of non-metals.

7. Choose the odd one out and give reason for the same.
sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium
Ans: Phosphorus is the only non-metal here and hence, the odd one out.

8. A greenish deposit is found on copper substance if it is exposed to moist

air for a long time. Why?
Ans: A greenish deposit is found on copper substance if it is exposed to moist air
for a long time because copper reacts with water, carbon dioxide and oxygen from
the atmosphere to form copper hydroxide and copper carbonate which gives a
green deposit. The chemical reaction for the same is as follows:
2Cu  H 2O  CO 2  O 2  Cu  OH 2  CuCO3

9. Why is sodium always stored in kerosene?

Ans: Sodium is always stored in kerosene because it is very reactive and reacts
vigorously with oxygen and water generating a lot of heat, if exposed to the
atmosphere for long.

10. Write the chemical reaction for the following.

‘When a zinc granule is added to copper sulphate, zinc replace copper from
copper sulphate. This results in disappearing of the blue colour of copper
sulphate and a powdery red mass of copper are formed.’
Ans: The chemical reaction for the given situation is as follows:
CuSO4  Blue   Zn  ZnSO4  Colourless   Cu  Red 

11. Arrange the following metals in the sequence of more reactive to less
reactive.
Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Copper
Ans: The given metals in the order of more reactive to less reactive are
Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Copper.

Long Answer Questions 5 Marks

1. List the uses of non-metals.

Ans: Some common uses of non-metals are:

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 a. Oxygen is a non-metal used in respiratory process.
b. Non-metals like chlorine can be used for the purification of water.
c. Non-metals like nitrogen and potassium can be used for fertilization.
d. Phosphorous is used to make crackers.
e. Graphite, a non-metal is used to conduct electricity.

2. Write any five differences between - metals and non-metals.

Ans: The difference between metals and non-metals are:

Metals
Metals are malleable, that is, they
can be beaten into thin sheets.
Metals are sonorous, that is, they
produce a ringing sound on striking
against something.
Metals are lustrous and shine.
Metals are very good conductors of
heat and electricity.
For example, iron, aluminium, etc.
Non-metals
Non-metals are not malleable.
Non-metals are not sonorous.
Non-metals are not lustrous.
Metals are not the conductors of
heat and electricity.
For example, oxygen, sulphur, etc.

3. Explain the reaction of metals and non-metals with acids and bases.
Ans: Reaction of metals and non-metals with acids are:
a. Non-metals do not react with acids.
b. Metals react with acids producing a pop sound because of the release of
hydrogen gas.
Reaction of metals and non-metals with bases are:
a. Reactivity of non-metals with bases gives salts and water. These reactions
are quite complex since non-metal oxides are acidic in nature.
b. Reactivity of metals with bases gives salt and hydrogen gas.

4. Write the physical properties of metals.

Ans: Some physical properties of metals are:
a. They are malleable and ductile.
b. They are sonorous.
c. They have a lustrous appearance.
d. They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
e. They are hard and tough.

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