Metals and Non-metals: common misconceptions

If your child says… “Anything shiny must be a metal.”

Ask together

If iodine shines, can shine alone identify a metal?

What’s true

Iodine shines even though it is a non-metal.

If your child says… “All metals react with oxygen like burning magnesium.”

Ask together

Does this railing need a bright flame for rust to appear?

What’s true

Iron can form an oxide-containing coating without magnesium's bright white flame.

If your child says… “Any metal can replace another.”

Ask together

Could less reactive silver displace copper?

What’s true

Iron reacts with steam and displaces copper, but less reactive silver cannot displace copper.

If your child says… “They share the electrons.”

Ask together

Where does sodium's outer electron end up?

What’s true

The electron transfers to chlorine rather than remaining shared between the atoms.

If your child says… “Salt conducts in every state.”

Ask together

Can fixed ions carry current?

What’s true

Solid salt's ions cannot travel.

If your child says… “One method extracts every metal.”

Ask together

Would sorting alone release sodium from its compound?

What’s true

Sorting removes waste, but extracting metal from compounds needs a chemical method chosen for its reactivity.

If your child says… “Impurities join the copper.”

Ask together

Where does the diagram place the impurities that cannot dissolve?

What’s true

Insoluble impurities settle below the anode.

If your child says… “Any coating works everywhere.”

Ask together

What happens when paint wears away?

What’s true

Protection must suit the object's use.