BOOK BACK ANSWERS

Grade 8
Chapter Name: Materials: Metals and Non-metals
(Book: Eureka plus - Grade 8, Macmillan education, Bringing science to life. Dr.J M D’Souza
and Dr. Kirti JD’Souza, ISBN number: 9789352521371)

I. Tick the correct options

1. A metal that is non-magnetic is
a. nickle b. cobalt c. iron d. gold
2. If a substance does not react in dilute acid, it could be
a. sodium b. potassium c. phosphorous d. Sulphur
3. The most abundant non-metal within the Earth’s crust is
a. oxygen b. quartz c. phosphorous d. Sulphur
4. A non-metal that is highly lustrous is
a. carbon b. diamond c. graphite d. quartz
5. When iron combines with oxygen, it forms
a. hydrogen gas b. rust c. a precipitate d. a non-metal
6. The ability of a metal to be drawn into a wire is a measure of its
a. ductility b. malleability c. sonority d. reactivity
7. At room temperature, mercury is a
a. liquid b. solid c. gas d. non-metal
8. Bronze is an alloy of
a. iron and carbon b. copper and tin
c. aluminium and copper d. copper and gold

II. Tick the correct statements and cross the false ones
1. Metals are generally good conductors of heat and electricity - True
2. Sodium can be stored under water - False
3. Iron coating protects zinc - False
4. Sulphur is a metal - False
5. Metals react with oxygen to form metallic oxides - True
6. Helium is a noble gas because it is very reactive - False

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7. Brass is a metal element - False
8. Steel contains iron and carbon - True

III. Identify the substance

1. Sulphur is a non-metal used in the vulcanization of rubber
2. Phosphorous is used in making fertilisers
3. Red phosphorous is used to make matchstick heads
4. Quartz crystals are used for keeping time in watches
5. Graphite is a non-metal that has a high melting point
6. Gold metal is found ina pure state in nature
7. Aluminium is the must abundant metal on the Earth.
8. Sulphur is a non-metal present in hair,eggs and wool
9. Iron metal that is used to harden steel
10. Zinc metal is used to galvanise iron

IV. Answer the following questions in one sentence

1. Which is denser-sodium or zinc?
Answer: Zinc is denser than sodium.

2. Which has a higher melting point-a thin tungsten wire or a thick iron nail?
Answer: Tungsten has a higher melting point than iron.

3. What will not react with an alkali-a copper sheet or an aluminium sheet?
Answer: Copper will not react with alkali.

4. Which is more reactive-sodium or lead?

Answer: Sodium is more reactive than lead.

5. Which is magnetic – iron wire or magnesium foil?

Answer: Iron wire

6. Which is harder – a piece of copper or a diamond?

Answer: Diamond is harder than copper.

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Extra questions

1. Explain malleability with an example.

Answer: Malleability is the property of metals by which they can be made into thin sheets. For
example, aluminium made into foils can be used as food-wrap.

2. Why are electric coppers made from copper?

Answer: Copper is a good conductor of electricity. Also, it is available more cheaply as
compared to others like silver.

3. Why are cooking utensils made from metals?

Answer: Metals are good conductors of heat. They allow heat to be transferred easily to the
substance being cooked.

4. Why is sodium stored in paraffin wax?

Answer: Sodium is a highly reactive metal. It is stored in paraffin to prevent it from coming into
direct contact with the oxygen in the air.

5. Why are helium and neon called noble gases?

Answer: Helium and neon gases do not react with other elements. So they are called noble
gases.

6. What are alloys? Give one example.

Answer: Alloys are materials obtained by mixing two or more metals or a metal and a non-
metal. By doing, so the physical properties of the material can be improved.

V. Give reasons
1. Good quality electric wires are made of copper
Answer: Copper is used for electrical wiring because it is a good conductor of electricity.

2. Zinc is coated on iron objects

Answer: Galvanization is a process that involves the dipping of iron objects into melted zinc.
This gives a thin coating of zinc layer on the iron object that protects it from corrosion.

3. Aluminium is used in building ships

Answer:
(a) Aluminium being strong, light and corrosion resistant metal is used for making alloy.
(b) Aluminium is light, malleable and does not rust so it is used for wrapping chocolates.
(c) To prevent them from rusting.
(d) As aluminium forms a film of aluminium oxide, it protects the ships from corrosion. So it is
used for making ships.

4. A copper bowl loses lustre after some time

Answer: A dull layer of oxide is formed when metals are exposed to air
Cu + O2  CuO
Copper + Oxygen  Copper oxide

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VI. Answer the following questions in detail
1. State any four physical properties of metals
Answer: Metals are malleable. They can be made into sheets. Example: Aluminium foil.
Metals are ductile. They can be drawn into thin wires. Example: Copper wire
Metals are solids at room temperature. Mercury, which is a liquid at room temperature, is an
exception.
Most metals have high densities. Sodium and potassium are exceptions.

2. How is rust formed?

Answer: Rust is formed when iron reacts with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of water or
water vapour. The product formed is iron oxide, commonly known as rust. Iron objects lying in
open places tend to accumulate rust on the surface. The equation is
Iron + Oxygen  Iron oxide
Fe + O2  Fe2O3

3. Explain the reaction between sodium and water.

Answer: Sodium reacts vigorously with water giving out a lot of heat to form a colourless
solution of soidium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The reaction generates enough heat which
ignites hydrogen, a combustible gas. Therefore sodium produces fire on reacting with water. The
reaction is as follows
Na+ H2O  NaOH + H2

4. What is a displacement reaction? Explain with an example

Answer: A chemical reaction whre one element displaces another because it is more reactive is
called a displacement reaction. Displacement reactions take place when a metallic salt solution
reacts with another metal. If the metal is more reactive, then it replaces the metal from its salt.
An example is copper sulphate reacting with iron to form iron sulphate and copper
Iron + Copper sulphate  Copper + Iron sulphate

5. Mention any two ways of preventing iron from rusting

Answer: Iron can be prevented from rusting by painting or by coating the object with other
materials:
a) When surfaces of iron are coated with paint, it helps to keep air and water away from the
surface. If paint peels off, the portion should be painted again.
b) When zinc, magnesium or aluminium are coated on iron, they react faster with iron as they are
more reactive. The layer of oxide, such as zinc oxide, formed on the surface, prevents the iron
surface from rusting.

6. Write a short note on the metals in the human body.

Answer: Certain metals are essential to living beings and are present in minute quantities in
them. The human body requires the following metals:
Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) help in transmitting electrical signals to and from the brain
through nerves.
Iron (Fe) is a component of haemoglobin in the red blood cells.
Calcium (Ca) salts are needed in the formation of bones and teeth.

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Other metals like magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) are needed in
different processes.

7. How do non-metals differ from metals in their physical properties

Answer: Non-metals can be solids, liquids and gases at room temperature while metals are
mostly solids.
Elements which are non-metals are brittle, bad conductors of heat and electricity, have low
density and low melting and boiling points; while metals are malleable and ductile, are good
conductors are heat and electricity, have high melting and boiling points and high densities.

8. List the uses of silicon and phosphorous

Answer: Silicon is used for making electronic components like transistors, integrated circuits,
microprocessors and chips used in computers., Silicon carbide (carborundum) formed by
combining silicon with carbon, is used in the manufacture of cutting and grinding tools for
industries. Silicon dioxide (quartz crystals) are used in watches.
Phosphorous is used in the making of fertilizers. Red phosphorous is used in match sticks and
fireworks. Phosphorous is also used in manufacturing chemicals that kill rats and other pests.

9. What is an alloy? Explain with an example

Answer: An alloy is obtained by mixing two or more metals or a metal and a non-metal. For
example, steel is an alloy, Iron and carbon are mixed to make steel.

Higher Order Thinking Skills

I. Think and answer
1. Why is it not advisable to store sour things in aluminium jars?
Answer: Aluminium reacts with acid to form a salt, which is not good for health. As sour things
are acidic, it is not advisable to store them in aluminium jars.

2. Why is lead not used to make electrical wires?

Answer: Lead (Pb) is a poor conductor of electricity and so it cannot be used to make electrical
wires.

3. List the metals that are used in our day-to-day life. Explain the properties of any one metal
with relation to its use.
Answer: Some of the metals that are used in day-to-day life are:
Aluminium, Iron, Lead, Copper, Zinc, Chromium and many others. Aluminium is used in ship-
building, aeroplanes, automobiles and utensils due to its high tensile strength.

4. Why is bronze preferred in the making of statues?

Answer: Bronze is corrosion resistant. It also has the property of expanding slightly just before it
sets; this helps in filling in the finest details of a mould.

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II. Complete the chemical equations
1. Iron + Moisture + Copper  Iron oxide (Rust)
2. Copper + Oxygen  Copper oxide
3. Sodium + oxygen  Sodium oxide
4. Metal + Dilute acid  Non-metallic oxide + Hydrogen
5. Non-metal + oxygen  Oxygen
6. Metal + Oxygen  Metal oxide

III. Which property or properties of the metal decides its use in the following:
S.No
1. Temple bells Sonority
2 Electric wires Ductility and good conductor of electricity
3 Axes and saws Hardness and malleability
4 Ornaments Lustre
5 Heating element in electric bulbs High melting point
6 Aeroplanes Corrosion resistant, malleability, light weight
7 Electrodes Good conductor of electricity
8 Thermometer Good conductor of heat
9 Mirror Can be polished
10 Cooking utensils Good conductor of heat

Value based questions

Read the sentences and answer the questions that follow
Yash lives in Mangalore, a coastal town of Karnataka. He observes that the body of his bicycle
rusts very frequently.
1. What could be the reason for Yash’s observation
Answer: The bicycle body is made of iron, which reacts with the atmospheric oxygen to form
iron oxide to rust. This is more prominent in coastal areas as the presence of water vapour
accelerates the process.
2. What must Yash do to keep his bicycle rust-free and in good condition?
Answer: To keep the bicycle rust-free, the body must be painted. Also the bicycle must be
parked under shelter and covered, if possible.

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Project Zone
The following parameters can be used to assess the students on the projects
Parameter Perfecting Developing Emerging
Research Skills
Compiling Skills
Presentation skills
Writing Skills
Time management skills

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