Physical Properties of Metals and Non-metals MCQs

Q1. Which property is shown by metals (NCERT)?

• A.brittleness
• B.dull appearance
• C.malleability
• D.being a poor conductor

Answer: C. malleability

The core fact here is - Metals are lustrous, malleable, ductile, conductors and lose electrons to form cations; non-metals are dull, brittle, insulators and gain electrons to form anions; matching the listed property to this dichotomy => only one option fits; hence answer = malleability. That fits the listed correct option directly - Correct. Quickly on the wrong ones: option A) 'brittleness' is wrong because Brittleness is a non-metal property; option B) 'dull appearance' is wrong because Metals are lustrous, not dull. Hence the answer is C) malleability.

Q2. Which property is shown by metals but generally NOT by non-metals?

• A.malleability
• B.being a poor conductor
• C.brittleness
• D.low density

Answer: A. malleability

Q3. Which non-metal is lustrous and is an exception to the dull appearance of non-metals?

• A.iodine
• B.carbon (as coal)
• C.phosphorus
• D.sulphur

Answer: A. iodine

NCERT fact (chemistry, chapter 'Metals and Non-metals'): An ionic bond forms when a metal donates electrons to a non-metal: e.g. Na -> Na+ + e-, Cl + e- -> Cl-, and Na+ + Cl- -> NaCl; the resulting solid is held by strong electrostatic attraction => this fixes the property asked in the stem; hence the answer = iodine. Why option A fits - Correct. Distractor analysis: option B) 'carbon (as coal)' doesn't hold - Coal is dull; iodine is the lustrous non-metal exception; option C) 'phosphorus' is incorrect: Phosphorus is non-lustrous. Final answer - A) iodine.