Metals and non-metals — KCSE Chemistry

KCSE Chemistry · 53 practice questions · 4 syllabus objectives

23 easy25 medium5 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

State and compare the physical and chemical properties of metals and non-metals

Explain the reaction of metals with water, acids and oxygen using word and symbol equations

Describe uses of metals and non-metals and relate the uses to their properties

Metals and non-metals

Sample Questions

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easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

Identify two uses of iron and explain how its properties make it suitable for these applications. (4 marks)

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Part (a) — 2 marks

Used in construction for making beams and frames (1 mk)

Used in manufacturing tools and machinery (1 mk)

Part (b) — 2 marks

Iron has high tensile strength, making it ideal for structures (1 mk)

Iron is malleable, allowing it to be shaped into tools (1 mk)

easySHORT ANSWER3 marks

Identify the products formed when zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid and write the corresponding word equation. (3 marks)

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Part (a) — 1 mark

Hydrogen gas and zinc chloride are formed (1 mk)

Part (b) — 2 marks

Zinc + Hydrochloric acid → Zinc chloride + Hydrogen (2 mks)

easySHORT ANSWER4 marks

Compare the physical properties of metals and non-metals in terms of electrical conductivity and malleability. (4 marks)

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Part (a) — 2 marks

Metals are good conductors of electricity due to the presence of free electrons (1 mk)

Non-metals are poor conductors of electricity, generally acting as insulators (1 mk)

Part (b) — 2 marks

Metals are malleable, meaning they can be hammered into sheets (1 mk)

Non-metals are typically brittle and cannot be hammered into sheets (1 mk)

Define the term ductility and give two examples of ductile metals. (3 marks)

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Why Practise Metals and non-metals?

KNEC Aligned

Questions match the KCSE syllabus objectives and exam format exactly.

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Metals and non-metals — KCSE Chemistry

What You'll Learn

Sample Questions

+50 More Questions

Why Practise Metals and non-metals?

KNEC Aligned

Detailed Marking Schemes

Track Your Mastery

Master Metals and non-metals for KCSE