Q.3 Fill in the blanks.
(a) Phosphorus is a very _________non-metal.
(b) Metals are conductors of heat and ____________ .
(c) Iron is ____________reactive than copper.
(d) Metals react with acids to produce ____________ gas.

(a) Phosphorus is a very reactive non-metal.

(b) Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.

(c) Iron is more reactive than copper.

(d) Metals react with acids to produce hydrogen gas.

EXPLANATION :

(a) White phosphorus is more reactive than red phosphorus because red phosphorus has polymeric structure while white phosphorus has unstable arrangement which makes the white phosphorus extremely reactive.

(b) Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity because metals have free electrons that allows the flow of electrons, thus conducting electricity.

(c) Iron is more reactive than copper because it has more free electrons than copper. Thus iron has greater tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions as compared to copper.

(d) Metals react with acids to produce hydrogen gas. When metals react with acid, metals oxidize by releasing electrons and these electrons reduce hydrogen ions into H2, thus releasing hydrogen gas.