Class 10 Science · Original EZT practice
Metals and Non-metals (Class 10 Science Chapter 3): the reactivity ladder every reaction climbs
Why does iron rust but gold never tarnish? Why is sodium locked away in kerosene while copper sits quietly in a pot for years? One ladder answers all of it - the reactivity series. This chapter builds that ladder and the reaction rules around it. Below: the ideas in plain words, then original EZT practice with worked answers. (Note: this is original practice, not a textbook exercise key.)
10 original worked examples, 10 fresh self-check questions, with explained answers. These are not copied textbook exercises, an official chapter index or a full answer key. No affiliation with NCERT is claimed.
Official sources for topic and edition context, checked 17 October 2026:
1. Physical properties: how to tell them apart
Metals are lustrous, malleable (hammer into sheets), ductile (draw into wires), sonorous and good conductors of heat and electricity. Non-metals are mostly the opposite: dull, brittle, poor conductors - with famous exceptions like graphite, a non-metal that conducts.
2. Metals react with oxygen, water and acids
Most metals combine with oxygen to form basic oxides. Reactive metals (sodium, potassium) react violently with cold water; moderately reactive ones need steam; copper and gold do not react with water at all. Metals above hydrogen in the series displace hydrogen from dilute acids.
3. The reactivity series and displacement
From most to least reactive: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, lead, (hydrogen), copper, mercury, silver, gold. A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its salt solution.
4. Corrosion and how to fight it
Metals slowly react with air and moisture: iron forms brown rust, copper turns green (basic copper carbonate), silver blackens. Rusting needs both air and water. Prevention: painting, oiling, galvanising with zinc, or alloying (stainless steel).
Choose, solve, check, then try a fresh question.
Before calculating, read the method prompt and name the condition that makes it useful. Write your own attempt. Open the steps only when you need them, and use the check to catch a wrong sign, unit or interpretation. Finish with the fresh question before reading its answer.
An electrician chooses copper for wiring and rubber for its covering...
Choose the method: Metals are lustrous, malleable (hammer into sheets), ductile (draw into wires), sonorous and good conductors of heat and electricity.
EZT practice question
An electrician chooses copper for wiring and rubber for its covering. Explain with properties.
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: copper is a metal - ductile and an excellent conductor; rubber is a non-metal - a flexible insulator.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
Which non-metal conducts electricity, and where is that used?
Choose the method: Metals are lustrous, malleable (hammer into sheets), ductile (draw into wires), sonorous and good conductors of heat and electricity.
EZT practice question
Which non-metal conducts electricity, and where is that used?
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: graphite - used as electrodes in cells and electrolysis.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
Why is sodium stored in kerosene?
Choose the method: Most metals combine with oxygen to form basic oxides.
EZT practice question
Why is sodium stored in kerosene?
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: it reacts violently with moisture and oxygen in air, so it is kept away from both, under kerosene.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
Write the equation for zinc reacting with dilute sulphuric acid.
Choose the method: Most metals combine with oxygen to form basic oxides.
EZT practice question
Write the equation for zinc reacting with dilute sulphuric acid.
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: Zn + H2SO4 -> ZnSO4 + H2 - the zinc displaces hydrogen from the acid.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
Magnesium oxide dissolved in water turns red litmus blue. What does that show?
Choose the method: Most metals combine with oxygen to form basic oxides.
EZT practice question
Magnesium oxide dissolved in water turns red litmus blue. What does that show?
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: magnesium oxide is basic - metal oxides are generally basic in nature.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
Carbon dioxide dissolved in water turns blue litmus red. Contrast with the...
Choose the method: Most metals combine with oxygen to form basic oxides.
EZT practice question
Carbon dioxide dissolved in water turns blue litmus red. Contrast with the previous example.
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid (CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3) - non-metal oxides are generally acidic, the opposite of metal oxides.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
An iron nail is dipped in copper sulphate solution. What happens?
Choose the method: From most to least reactive: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, lead, (hydrogen), copper, mercury, silver, gold.
EZT practice question
An iron nail is dipped in copper sulphate solution. What happens?
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: iron is more reactive than copper, so it displaces it: Fe + CuSO4 -> FeSO4 + Cu - the blue solution fades and copper coats the nail.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
A copper wire is dipped in iron sulphate solution. Any reaction?
Choose the method: From most to least reactive: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, lead, (hydrogen), copper, mercury, silver, gold.
EZT practice question
A copper wire is dipped in iron sulphate solution. Any reaction?
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: none - copper is less reactive than iron and cannot displace it.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
Why do ships and bridges get galvanised or painted?
Choose the method: Metals slowly react with air and moisture: iron forms brown rust, copper turns green (basic copper carbonate), silver blackens.
EZT practice question
Why do ships and bridges get galvanised or painted?
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: the coating keeps air and moisture off the iron, blocking the two things rusting needs.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
Aluminium is reactive yet used for utensils and aircraft without rusting...
Choose the method: Metals slowly react with air and moisture: iron forms brown rust, copper turns green (basic copper carbonate), silver blackens.
EZT practice question
Aluminium is reactive yet used for utensils and aircraft without rusting away. Why?
Show the worked solution
- Identify the property, reactant, series position or corrosion condition in the question.
- Apply the chapter rule for physical properties, oxides, water/acid reactions or displacement.
- State the observation or equation with the reason attached.
Answer: it instantly forms a thin, tough oxide layer on its surface that seals the metal underneath from further attack.
Check: The property, series position, observation or equation matches the chapter rule used.
Watch for this: Do not treat every metal as equally reactive or every non-metal as a non-conductor; use the reactivity series and remember exceptions such as graphite.
Now try it yourself
Create one new example by changing the numbers, materials, object or setup and solve it by the same rule.
Check your answer
Keep the final result in your notebook; the page-level Try It prompts are intentionally answer-free.
The worked answer above shows the method; independent practice should not become another answer key.
Try it yourself
Work these on paper before checking any notes. Answers are deliberately not shown here.
- Give two physical properties that distinguish metals from non-metals.
- Complete: Ca + 2H2O -> ?
- Will zinc displace copper from copper sulphate? Why?
- Name two methods of preventing rust.
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Questions about this practice page
- What is the reactivity series?
- the ladder of metals ordered by reactivity - potassium and sodium at the top, gold at the bottom, with hydrogen marked as the reference for acid reactions.
- When does a metal displace hydrogen from an acid?
- when it sits above hydrogen in the reactivity series, as zinc does in Zn + H2SO4 -> ZnSO4 + H2; copper, sitting below, cannot.
- What is a displacement reaction?
- a more reactive metal pushing a less reactive one out of its salt solution - iron displacing copper from copper sulphate is the classic case.
- What causes rusting and how is it prevented?
- iron reacts with both air and moisture to form rust; coatings (paint, oil, zinc galvanising) or alloys like stainless steel block it.
- Are these the NCERT exercise questions for Metals and Non-metals?
- No. EZT pages are original practice on this chapter - use them to prepare for the textbook exercises, not as a substitute for your book.