Which of the following statements about ductility and the sonorous nature of materials is correct in basic metallurgy?

Introduction / Context:
In general science and basic metallurgy, physical properties such as malleability, ductility and sonorous nature are used to distinguish metals from non metals. Ductility is the ability of a material to be drawn into thin wires, while sonorous materials give a ringing sound when struck. This question checks whether the learner can correctly identify a true statement about the ductility and sonorous properties of some familiar elements.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Gold, silver, copper and platinum are well known metallic elements.
- Phosphorus, nitrogen and sulphur are typical non metals under normal conditions.
- Ductility and sonorous nature are characteristic metallic properties in school level chemistry.
- Only one of the given statements is intended to be correct, while others are clearly false for revision purposes.

Concept / Approach:
Most metals are ductile and malleable, meaning they can be drawn into wires and beaten into thin sheets. Gold, silver, copper and platinum are especially known for their excellent ductility. Non metals like phosphorus, nitrogen and sulphur are brittle (if solid) or gaseous and do not show ductility or a ringing sound when struck. Sonorous behaviour is also typical of metals such as copper and iron, not of non metals. By checking each statement against these basic properties, we can identify the one that correctly describes copper and platinum as ductile metals.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that ductile materials can be drawn into thin wires, a property strongly associated with metals like copper and platinum. Step 2: Evaluate statement A. Gold and silver are actually among the most ductile metals known, so saying they are not ductile is incorrect. Step 3: Evaluate statement B. Phosphorus and nitrogen are non metals; nitrogen is a gas at room temperature and neither element is ductile, so this is false. Step 4: Evaluate statement C. Copper and platinum are both metals and are well known for their ability to be drawn into wires, so this statement accurately reflects ductility. Step 5: Evaluate statements D and E. Sulphur and phosphorus are brittle non metals and not sonorous, and not all metals are brittle. These statements are therefore incorrect.

Verification / Alternative check:
Practical examples support statement C. Copper wires are used extensively in electrical wiring because copper is both ductile and a good conductor. Platinum wires and thin platinum components are used in laboratory equipment and specialised devices, again demonstrating ductility. On the other hand, gold and silver are used for very thin foils and fine jewellery chains, reflecting their high ductility, contradicting statement A. School experiments with sulphur show that it crumbles easily rather than deforming, and it does not produce a ringing sound, contradicting statement D.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Statement A is wrong because gold and silver are classic examples of ductile metals. Statement B is wrong because phosphorus and nitrogen are non metals and do not exhibit metallic ductility. Statement D is wrong because sulphur and phosphorus are brittle and not sonorous. Statement E is also wrong because many metals, such as copper and aluminium, are not brittle; they are malleable and ductile. Only statement C expresses a correct and precise fact about metallic ductility.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may mistakenly think that all metals have exactly the same properties or may confuse ductility with hardness or strength. Some students might also think of phosphorus only in terms of match heads without remembering its non metallic nature. Another common error is to accept negative statements at face value without checking against well known examples like copper wires. Revisiting standard examples of ductile metals and brittle non metals helps to avoid such misunderstandings.

Final Answer:
The correct statement is that Copper and platinum are ductile metals that can be drawn into wires.