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Lesson 12 of 14

The big picture

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3 min

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Ten ideas. And one grey pencil core that shows one test is not enough.

The World of Metals and Non-metals on one screen
IdeaRememberExample
Shine and soundLustre and sonorous are tests, not looks.A glass marble shines but is not a metal
Beaten and drawnMalleable spreads. Ductile draws into wire.Foil is beaten thin
Warmth and the loopMetals carry both well.Graphite carries the loop, but is not a metal
Non-metals around usState and metal-or-not are separate questions.Mercury is a liquid metal
RustingAir and water together, or nothing happens.A dry nail stays bright
ChoosingThe job decides which property matters.Copper fits a lamp's flex. Aluminium fits food foil. The job decides.
OxidesA metal's oxide is usually basic. A non-metal's oxide is usually acidic. Litmus in water can show which, if the oxide dissolves.Magnesium oxide: basic. Sulfur dioxide: acidic
Kept awayKeep a substance away from what it reacts with. Sodium reacts with air and water, so it is kept in kerosene. White phosphorus can catch fire in air, so water covers it.Sodium under kerosene
JewelleryA jewellery metal shines and shapes easily. It keeps its shine in air and water. Of iron, copper, silver and gold, gold does this best.A gold bangle stays bright
Non-metal jobsNon-metals do vital jobs. Chlorine cleans water. Iodine is an antiseptic for wounds. Nitrogen is in fertilisers. Oxygen is for breathing. Carbon is in all living things.Chlorine in drinking water

Now open Chapter 4 in your NCERT book. Ask of each question: which property does the job need?