NMMS - National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Science: Metals and Non-Metals Questions and Answers

Question 1

A student places a piece of zinc metal into a blue solution of copper sulfate.
After some time, the student observes that the blue color of the solution fades and a reddish-brown coating forms on the zinc strip.
Which of the following statements best explains this observation?

Accepted Answer

Zinc is more reactive than copper and displaces it from the copper sulfate solution.

Answer

Copper is more reactive than zinc and displaces it from the zinc strip.

Answer

A double displacement reaction occurs, forming zinc sulfate and copper.

Answer

The zinc metal dissolves in the solution without any chemical reaction.

Question 2

Most metals are solid at room temperature, hard, and good conductors of electricity. Which of the following pairs represents an exception to these typical metallic properties?

Accepted Answer

Sodium and Mercury

Answer

Iron and Aluminum

Answer

Copper and Silver

Answer

Gold and Platinum

Question 3

Which of the following non-metals is essential for the process of respiration and is also used in combustion?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Sulfur

Answer

Carbon

Question 4

A school bell is made of a metal alloy rather than wood because metals possess a specific property. Which property of metals is primarily responsible for the ringing sound produced by the bell?

Accepted Answer

Sonority

Answer

Ductility

Answer

Malleability

Answer

Lustre

Question 5

An electrician is choosing a material for the core of an electrical wire. Which property is most crucial for this application, and which material is a suitable choice?

Accepted Answer

High electrical conductivity; Copper

Answer

Low density; Sulfur

Answer

Brittleness; Carbon

Answer

High melting point; Phosphorus

Question 6

When non-metals react with oxygen, they generally form oxides. What is the typical nature of these non-metallic oxides when dissolved in water?

Accepted Answer

Acidic

Answer

Neutral

Answer

Basic

Answer

Amphoteric