NCERT Class 7 Science Curiosity: Chapter 4 — The World of Metals and Non-metals
This chapter, "Properties of Materials," from NCERT's Class 7 Science Curiosity textbook, introduces students to the fascinating world of metals and non-metals through a narrative about two children, Yashwant and Anandi, and their project on craftspersons. They learn from an ironsmith how everyday items like pans, buckets, and tools are made from iron. The chapter highlights the malleability of iron, which can be beaten into flat shapes. It then guides students through Activity 4.1, encouraging them to collect various materials like copper, aluminum, iron, coal, sulfur, and wood. Under supervision, they are to observe and record the appearance, hardness, and malleability of these substances by hammering them. This hands-on approach aims to help students understand the physical properties of different materials, laying the groundwork for distinguishing between metals and non-metals and their applications in daily life, crucial for CBSE Science learning.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — The World of Metals and Non-metals |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 302 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the practical applications of metals and non-metals in daily life.
- Learn about the process of making everyday items from metals.
- Investigate the physical properties of various materials.
- Define and observe malleability in materials.
- Differentiate between metals and non-metals based on their properties.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| craftspersons | people who make things by hand with skill. |
| ironsmiths | people who make or repair things made of iron. |
| furnaces | enclosed structures in which materials are heated to very high temperatures. |
| malleability | the ability of a metal to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking. |
| lustrous | shiny or glossy. |
| sulfur | a yellow non-metallic chemical element. |
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Practice questions
- What kind of items do ironsmiths generally make? Answer: Ironsmiths generally make items of daily use such as flat pans (tawas), buckets (baltis), tongs (chimtas), and farming tools like spades (phawras), axes (kulhadis), trowels (khurpis), and rakes (jelees).
- What materials are used to make the items mentioned by the ironsmith? Answer: Iron metal is used to make these items. Wood is used for handles, and coal is used in furnaces to heat the iron.
- What is malleability? Answer: Malleability is the property of a material that allows it to be beaten into thin sheets without breaking.
- What materials are suggested for Activity 4.1? Answer: Waste pieces of copper and aluminium, an iron nail, a piece of coal, a pea-sized lump of sulfur, and a block of wood.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 4?
NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 4, "Properties of Materials," focuses on introducing metals and non-metals and their physical properties, particularly malleability.
Who are the main characters in the introduction of Chapter 4?
The main characters in the introduction are Yashwant and Anandi, who are learning about craftspersons who work with metals.
What is an example of malleability shown in the chapter?
An example of malleability is an ironsmith beating a red-hot iron block with a hammer to shape it into an axe.
What is the purpose of Activity 4.1 in this chapter?
Activity 4.1 aims to help students explore and observe the physical properties, such as appearance and hardness, and the malleability of different materials by beating them with a hammer.
What materials are suggested for Activity 4.1?
Activity 4.1 suggests collecting waste pieces of copper and aluminium, an iron nail, a piece of coal, a pea-sized lump of sulfur, and a block of wood.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 7 Science — Curiosity — Chapter 4 — The World of Metals and Non-metals. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.