Lesson T7.2.1

T7.2.1 Properties of metals and non-metals Quiz: KS3 Chemistry, Unit 7

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T7.2.1, Properties of metals and non-metals: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Chemistry (National Curriculum), Unit 7: The Periodic Table, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which property is typical of metals?

    • They are poor conductors of heat, so they stay cool to touch
    • They are good conductors of electricity
    • They are usually dull and brittle when they are solid
    • They have low melting points, so they melt at room temperature

  2. Which property is typical of non-metals?

    • They are usually good conductors of heat and electricity
    • They are usually shiny when solid
    • They are usually poor conductors of electricity
    • They are usually malleable and ductile

  3. What does it mean if a metal is described as malleable?

    • It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity in most cases
    • It can be hammered or pressed into shape
    • It reacts quickly with dilute acids to form a salt and hydrogen
    • It can be drawn into a thin wire without breaking

  4. What does it mean if a metal is described as ductile?

    • It is brittle and breaks easily when it is bent
    • It has a low melting point and softens in warm water
    • It can be drawn out into a thin wire
    • It can be hammered into a thin sheet without breaking

  5. Which feature is typical of solid non-metals such as sulfur?

    • They are very good conductors
    • They are shiny and reflect light well
    • They are brittle and break easily
    • They are malleable and can be hammered

  6. Which property do most metals share compared with most non-metals?

    • They are all gases at room temperature
    • They form positive ions in reactions
    • They form negative ions in reactions
    • They are all brittle when solid

  7. Which group of elements usually forms acidic oxides?

    • Alkali metals only
    • Metals
    • Noble gases only
    • Non-metals

  8. Which statement about the melting points of metals and non-metals is generally true?

    • Metals and non-metals always melt at the same temperature
    • Non-metals always have melting points above one thousand degrees
    • Metals usually have lower melting points than non-metals
    • Metals usually have higher melting points than non-metals

  9. Which property would be most useful for an electrical cable?

    • High electrical conductivity and ductility, as in copper
    • Dull appearance and high brittleness, as in solid iodine
    • Brittleness and low conductivity, as in solid sulfur powder
    • Poor conductivity and a low melting point, as in common plastic

  10. What is the appearance of most metals?

    • Dull and matt in every case, with no shine
    • Shiny, which means they reflect light well
    • Transparent, letting light pass through the surface
    • Coloured green in every case, from one metal to another

  11. Which non-metal is a notable exception that conducts electricity?

    • Sulfur, a yellow solid used in matches
    • Graphite, a form of carbon
    • Iodine, a dark solid that sublimes into a purple gas
    • Oxygen, a colourless gas that supports burning

  12. Which of these is a non-metal that is a gas at room temperature?

    • Aluminium
    • Copper
    • Oxygen
    • Iron

  13. Which statement about metal and non-metal solids is correct?

    • Most metal solids can be bent or hammered, while many non-metal solids shatter
    • Both metal and non-metal solids are always brittle when they are very cold
    • Most metal solids shatter when struck, while most non-metal solids bend easily
    • Both metal and non-metal solids are always flexible when they are heated

  14. A student tests an unknown element that conducts electricity well and is shiny. Which conclusion is most likely?

    • The element is a non-metal gas
    • The element is a metal
    • The element is a halogen
    • The element is a noble gas

  15. Which statement describes the typical bonding of metals?

    • Metal atoms share electrons in pairs with other metal atoms
    • Metal atoms share a sea of delocalised electrons
    • Metal atoms gain electrons and become negative ions
    • Metal atoms have no electrons in their outer shell

  16. Which is a typical property of a non-metal element when solid?

    • It always has a shiny metallic surface, like a metal does
    • It is always a good conductor of heat through its surface
    • It always has a very high density, heavier than metals
    • It has a low density compared with most metals

  17. Why are metals used for cooking pans?

    • They are brittle and easy to shape
    • They are poor conductors of heat
    • They are non-metals that do not react
    • They are good conductors of heat

  18. Why are plastics used as the handles of cooking pans?

    • They are good conductors of electricity
    • They are malleable and easily bent
    • They are shiny and reflect heat away
    • They are poor conductors of heat

  19. A solid element is dull, brittle and does not conduct electricity. Which type of element is it most likely to be?

    • A non-metal
    • An alkali metal
    • A transition metal
    • A metal

  20. Which statement compares the electrical conductivity of metals and non-metals?

    • Neither metals nor non-metals can conduct electricity at any temperature at all
    • Metals and non-metals conduct electricity equally well, as both are solids
    • Metals are usually poor conductors, while most non-metals are good conductors
    • Metals are usually good conductors, while most non-metals are poor conductors

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