SCIENCE MATERIALS : METALS AND NON-METALS

Reaction of Metals and Non-Metals with Water and Acids

Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-Metals

 Reaction with Water

Metals react with water to form metal hydroxide along with the evolution of hydrogen gas.

Metal + Water Metal hydroxide + Hydrogen

o Sodium reacts violently with cold water to form sodium hydroxide solution along with the
evolution of hydrogen gas.

2Na + 2H2O 2NaOH + H2

Since, sodium reacts vigorously with the oxygen and water producing a lot of heat, it is stored in
kerosene.
o Iron reacts slowly with water.

Non-Metals do not react with water, though they may be very reactive in the air.
Example: Phosphorus is a very reactive non-metal and catches fire when exposed to air. So in
order to protect phosphorus from atmospheric air, it is stored in water.

 Reaction with Acids

Most of the metals react with dilute acids to form salts and hydrogen gas.

Metal + Acid Salt + Hydrogen

For example:
Magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.

Mg + 2HCl MgCl2 + H2

Al, Fe and Zn also react with dilute HCl to form corresponding metal chlorides and hydrogen gas.
The hydrogen gas burns with a pop sound when a lighted matchstick is brought near the mouth of the
test tube.
The less reactive metals such as copper, silver and gold do not react with dilute acids.
Non-metals do not react with dilute acids to form salts and hydrogen gas.

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 SCIENCE MATERIALS : METALS AND NON-METALS

 Reaction with Bases

Metals react with bases to form salts and hydrogen gas.

Metal + Base Salt + Hydrogen

Aluminium and zinc are the two common metals which react with bases to produce hydrogen gas.

Al + 2NaOH Na2AlO2 + H2

Zn + 2NaOH Na2ZnO2 + H2

Reactions of Non-metals with bases are complex.

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