Here you will find NCERT Activity 3.2 Class 10 Science Explanation that belongs to Chapter 3 Metals and Non-metals. After reading Solutions of chapter 3 Metals and Non-metals, you will be able to understand activity 3.2.
NCERT Activity 3.2 Class 10 Science Explanation
Activity 3.2
Take small pieces of iron, copper, aluminium, and magnesium. Try to cut these metals with a sharp knife and note your observations.
Hold a piece of sodium metal with a pair of tongs.
Put it on a watch glass and try to cut it with a knife.
What do you observe?
Observation and conclusion activity 3.2
All four metals (Fe, Cu, Al, and Mg) are found to be cut with difficulty.
This shows that metals are hard. The case of cutting is found to be in the
order Mg > AI > Cu >Fe. This shows
that hardness varies from metal to metal. Sodium can be cut very easily with a
knife. Hence, sodium is soft.
Hardness
Metals are quite hard and their hardness varies from metal to metal. If we try to cut even a thin rod of iron into two pieces, it will be very difficult. The same will be the case with metals like copper, silver, etc.
But on the other
hand, there are certain exceptions like sodium and potassium which are soft and
they can be cut by a knife. The extent of hardness that a metal possesses,
depends upon the strength of the metallic bond.
Caution: Always handle
sodium metal with care. Dry it by pressing between the folds of a filter paper.
Related Topics -
1. Next activity - Activity 3.3
2. Previous activity -Activity 3.1
3. Solution of Chapter 3 Metals and Non-metals
5. Extra Questions of Chapter 3
6. Solutions of Class 10 Science all chapters
