Physical & Chemical Properties — Homi Bhabha Class 9 Chemistry MCQs with Solutions
Free Homi Bhabha Class 9 Chemistry Physical & Chemical Properties MCQs with step-by-step solutions (13 questions). Part of Metals & Non-Metals. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — Physical & Chemical Properties · medium · theory
Metals can be beaten into thin sheets. This property is called:
A. malleability ✓ Correct
B. brittleness
C. sonority
D. ductility
Solution: Malleability is the ability to be hammered into sheets; ductility is being drawn into wires.
Q2 — Physical & Chemical Properties · medium · theory
Most metals are good conductors of:
A. sound only
B. heat and electricity ✓ Correct
C. neither heat nor electricity
D. only light
Solution: Metals conduct heat and electricity well due to free electrons.
Q3 — Physical & Chemical Properties · hard · theory
The only metal that is liquid at room temperature is:
A. iron
B. copper
C. mercury ✓ Correct
D. sodium
Solution: Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures.
Q4 — Physical & Chemical Properties · hard · theory
Which non-metal is a good conductor of electricity (an exception)?
A. Phosphorus
B. Sulphur
C. Graphite ✓ Correct
D. Iodine
Solution: Graphite, a form of carbon, conducts electricity although it is a non-metal.
Q5 — Physical & Chemical Properties · medium · theory
Non-metals in the solid state are generally:
A. malleable and shiny
B. good conductors
C. ductile
D. brittle and dull ✓ Correct
Solution: Solid non-metals are usually brittle, dull and poor conductors (with a few exceptions).
Q6 — Physical & Chemical Properties · hard · theory
The oxides of metals are generally ______, while the oxides of non-metals are generally ______:
A. neutral; acidic
B. basic; neutral
C. acidic; basic
D. basic; acidic ✓ Correct
Solution: Metal oxides are basic (e.g. Na₂O), whereas non-metal oxides are acidic (e.g. CO₂, SO₂).
Q7 — Physical & Chemical Properties · medium · theory
Metals produce a ringing sound when struck. This property is called:
A. sonority ✓ Correct
B. lustre
C. ductility
D. malleability
Solution: Sonority is the property of producing a ringing sound; that is why metals are used in bells.
Q8 — Physical & Chemical Properties · hard · theory
The hardest naturally occurring substance, which is a form of the non-metal carbon, is:
A. diamond ✓ Correct
B. graphite
C. iron
D. quartz
Solution: Diamond, an allotrope of carbon, is the hardest natural substance.
Q9 — Physical & Chemical Properties · easy · theory
Which of the following is a general physical property of most metals?
A. They are brittle and do not conduct electricity
B. They always have very low melting points
C. They are malleable and good conductors of heat and electricity ✓ Correct
D. They are dull and exist as gases at room temperature
Solution: Most metals are malleable, ductile, sonorous, lustrous and good conductors of heat and electricity. Being brittle, dull and non-conducting are properties of typical non-metals.
Q10 — Physical & Chemical Properties · easy · theory
Non-metals are generally poor conductors of electricity. Which non-metal is an important exception because it does conduct electricity?
A. Sulphur
B. Iodine
C. Phosphorus
D. Graphite (a form of carbon) ✓ Correct
Solution: Graphite, an allotrope of carbon, conducts electricity because it has free (delocalised) electrons in its layered structure, even though carbon is a non-metal.
Q11 — Physical & Chemical Properties · medium · theory
A student dissolves an oxide in water and finds that the solution turns red litmus paper blue. The oxide is most likely
A. carbon dioxide, a non-metal oxide
B. sulphur dioxide, a non-metal oxide
C. sodium oxide, a metal oxide ✓ Correct
D. phosphorus pentoxide, a non-metal oxide
Solution: Metal oxides are generally basic. Sodium oxide dissolves in water to form sodium hydroxide, an alkali, which turns red litmus blue. Non-metal oxides are acidic and would turn blue litmus red.
Q12 — Physical & Chemical Properties · medium · theory
Metals such as sodium and potassium are stored under kerosene oil. The main reason is that
A. they react vigorously with the oxygen and moisture of the air ✓ Correct
B. kerosene makes them shine more brightly
C. they dissolve in kerosene to form a useful solution
D. they are too soft to be picked up in air
Solution: Sodium and potassium are so reactive that they can catch fire on contact with air and water. Kerosene keeps air and moisture away from them, so they are stored under it for safety.
Q13 — Physical & Chemical Properties · hard · theory
Assertion: Metals are described as electropositive elements. Reason: Metal atoms tend to lose their valence electrons to form positively charged ions. Choose the correct option.
A. Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason does not explain the assertion
B. Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion ✓ Correct
C. The assertion is false but the reason is true
D. The assertion is true but the reason is false
Solution: Metals have few valence electrons which they lose easily to form positive ions (cations). This very tendency to lose electrons is why metals are called electropositive, so the reason correctly explains the assertion.