Metals Non Metals and Metalloids in the Table - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET

Q7. Name any four metalloids and state one property that makes them different from both metals and non-metals.

Q8. Why are metals good conductors of electricity while non-metals are generally poor conductors? on here...

Q9. Where are metalloids located in the periodic table? Name two elements that border the zig-zag line. 

Q10. Why is carbon classified as a non-metal even though it has some metallic properties (like graphite conducting electricity)? 

Q11. Your school has aluminium window frames, glass windows, and plastic chairs. Aluminium is a metal, glass contains silicon (a metalloid), and plastic is made from carbon (a non-metal). Using the periodic table, explain why these three materials have such different properties despite being made from elements that are close to each other in the periodic table.

Q12. Why do metals form basic oxides while non-metals form acidic oxides? Give one example of each. 

Q13. Describe the position of metals, non-metals, and metalloids in the modern periodic table. Explain the general physical and chemical properties of each category. Why do metalloids show intermediate properties? Give two examples of how metalloids are useful in technology.

Q14. Explain the trend in the nature of oxides formed by elements across a period. Use Period 3 (Na to Cl) as an example to show:

(a) How the nature of oxides changes from basic to acidic

(b) Which elements form amphoteric oxides

(c) Why this trend occurs

(d) How the position of an element in the periodic table helps predict the nature of its oxide

Illustrate with chemical equations where possible.

Q15. During a science exhibition, your class sets up three stalls representing metals, non-metals, and metalloids.

(a) At the metals stall, you display copper wire, iron nails, and aluminium foil. What common physical properties do these exhibits demonstrate?

(b) At the non-metals stall, you display sulphur powder, graphite electrodes, and iodine crystals. Why is graphite included with non-metals even though it conducts electricity?

(c) At the metalloids stall, you display silicon chips and boron fibres. Why are these materials crucial for the electronics industry?

(d) A visitor asks: "Why is mercury a metal but bromine is a non-metal, even though both are liquids at room temperature?" How would you answer?

Q16. The following table shows some elements from Period 3:

Table

Element Na Mg Al Si P S Cl

Nature Metal Metal Metal Metalloid Non-metal Non-metal Non-metal

(a) Draw a rough sketch of the zig-zag line that separates metals from non-metals in Period 3.

(b) Why is silicon considered a metalloid and not a metal or non-metal?

(c) Predict the nature (acidic, basic, or amphoteric) of the oxides of Na, Al, and S. Explain your reasoning.

Q17. A student is given five unknown elements: A, B, C, D, and E. The following observations are made:

Element A conducts electricity, is malleable, and forms a basic oxide.

Element B does not conduct electricity (except graphite), is brittle, and forms an acidic oxide.

Element C conducts electricity poorly at room temperature but better when heated, and shows properties of both A and B.

Element D is a gas at room temperature and does not conduct electricity.

Element E is a liquid at room temperature and conducts electricity.

(a) Classify each element as metal, non-metal, or metalloid.

(b) Which element could be mercury? Explain.

(c) Which element could be silicon? Explain.

Q18. The periodic table can be divided into three regions based on the nature of elements:

Table

Region Elements Properties

Left side Groups 1-12 ?

Zig-zag line B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te ?

Right side Groups 13-17 (except metalloids) ?

(a) Complete the table by filling in the properties for each region.

(b) If an element X has 3 valence electrons and forms an amphoteric oxide, in which region would you place it? Give an example of such an element.

(c) Element Y has 7 valence electrons and forms the strongest acid among the elements in its period. Identify Y and explain why it forms acidic oxides.