Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Section
Differences between the properties of metals and non-metals
19 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 19
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State whether most metals are malleable or brittle.
Question 2
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The table lists four elements: sodium, aluminium, sulfur and silicon.
(a)[2 marks]State whether each of these elements conducts electricity or not (at room temperature).
(b)[1 mark]Name one exception among non-metals that conducts electricity.
Question 3
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Diamond is a form of carbon, a non-metal, but it is the best conductor of heat of all the elements. Explain why diamond is still considered a non-metal despite this property.
Question 4
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The following table shows whether certain elements conduct electricity at room temperature:
Element Conducts electricity? Magnesium Yes Bromine No Lead Yes Iodine No (a)[1 mark]Identify which two elements in the table are non-metals.
(b)[1 mark]State what the data shows about the electrical conductivity of metals compared to non-metals.
(c)[1 mark]Give one reason why electrical wires are not made from non-metals.
Question 5
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State whether the oxide of carbon is acidic, basic, or amphoteric.
Question 6
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Copper is a metal and sulfur is a non-metal. Using their physical properties, answer the following:
(a)[1 mark]State the typical appearance (shiny/dull) of copper and sulfur.
(b)[1 mark]Describe whether copper and sulfur are likely to be malleable or brittle.
(c)[1 mark]Give one property of copper that makes it suitable for use in electrical wiring.
Question 7
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The length of a copper wire needed to connect two points is 5 metres. If a non-metal such as sulfur was used to try to make a wire of the same length for carrying an electric current, would it work? Explain your answer using a physical property of metals and non-metals.
Question 8
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →When 0.1 mol of sodium oxide (a metal oxide) is dissolved in water, it produces sodium hydroxide solution, which is alkaline. When 0.1 mol of sulfur dioxide (a non-metal oxide) is dissolved in water, it forms an acidic solution. Calculate the total number of moles of hydroxide ions, OH⁻, produced from the sodium oxide, and the total number of moles of hydrogen ions, H⁺, produced from the sulfur dioxide, after complete reaction in water. State which oxide forms a solution with pH greater than 7, explaining your answer.
Question 9
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State one example of a metal and one example of a non-metal. For each, identify whether it conducts electricity or not.
Question 10
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →(a)[2 marks]State what is meant by a basic oxide and give one example of a basic oxide formed by a metal.
(b)[2 marks]Explain, using a chemical equation, how an acidic oxide formed by a non-metal reacts with an alkali.