Metals and Non-metals — Class 10 Science MCQ with Answers (2026-27)

Updated 23 August 2026 · checked against the CBSE 2026-27 syllabus

6 objective questions on Metals and Non-metals (Class 10 Science — Chemistry), every one checked against the CBSE 2026-27 syllabus. Pick an option and the correct answer is shown straight away, with your marks running at the top.

Metals and Non-metals MCQ questions with answers

1. Riya wants to find out how a metal conducts heat. She attaches four nails along a copper rod with wax and heats one end of the rod with a flame.
   What should Riya keep the​ same​ in her activity?
   1. Length of the nails
   2. Material of the nails
   3. Thickness of wax coatings
   4. Distance between the nails

   Answer: c) Thickness of wax coatings

   For a fair test only one thing may vary. Since she is comparing how heat travels through different metals, the wax coating must be identical on every nail, or a difference in melting could be caused by the wax rather than the metal.

2. Reena immersed a zinc plate in an aqueous solution of copper sulphate. After an hour a thick layer of copper had formed on the zinc plate and the blue solution had turned colourless.
   What is the formula of the colourless solution‌ formed​ after the reaction?
   1. Zn
   2. Cu
   3. ZnSO₄
   4. CuSO₄

   Answer: c) ZnSO₄

   Zinc is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from copper sulphate: Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu. Zinc sulphate solution is colourless, while copper sulphate is blue.

3. 2Al + 3H₂O Al₂O₃‌ +​ X What is X in the reaction?
   1. Al
   2. H₂
   3. O₃
   4. AlH₃

   Answer: b) H₂

   Balance the atoms: 2Al + 3H₂O → Al₂O₃ + 3H₂. The six hydrogen atoms on the left must reappear on the right, so X is H₂.

4. Magnesium has the electron arrangement 2, 8, 2 and sulphur has the electron arrangement 2, 8, 6.
   How many atoms of sulphur will react with‌ one​ atom of magnesium to form a compound?
   1. One
   2. Two
   3. Three
   4. Four

   Answer: a) One

   Magnesium loses 2 electrons and sulphur gains 2, so they combine in a 1:1 ratio as MgS. One atom of sulphur is needed.

5. Two reactions occur as shown: P + QX → PX + Q and R + PY → RY + P.
   Which row shows​​ the most reactive and the least reactive element?
   1. Most reactive P, least reactive R
   2. Most reactive Q, least reactive R
   3. Most reactive R, least reactive P
   4. Most reactive R, least reactive Q

   Answer: d) Most reactive R, least reactive Q

   P displaces Q from QX, so P is more reactive than Q. R displaces P from PY, so R is more reactive than P. The order is R > P > Q, giving R most reactive and Q least.

6. Five substances and their properties — A: melting point 290 K, poor conductor as solid and as liquid. B: 209 K, poor, poor. C: 887 K, poor as solid, good when molten. D: 156 K, poor, poor. E: 985 K, poor as solid, good when molten.
   Which substances are covalent compounds?
   1. A, B and D
   2. C and E
   3. A, C and E
   4. B, D and E

   Answer: a) A, B and D

   Covalent compounds have low melting points and conduct in neither state, because they have no free ions. A (290 K), B (209 K) and D (156 K) fit. C and E melt high and conduct when molten, which is ionic behaviour.