Concept:
Metals can be classified based on their physical properties such as hardness, malleability, and reactivity.
• Hard metals (like iron and copper) are strong and not easily cut.
• Soft metals are those that can be easily cut with a knife.
• Alkali metals (Group 1 elements like sodium, potassium) are extremely soft and highly reactive.
Sodium is a well-known soft metal and can even be cut with a knife due to its low density and weak metallic bonding.
Step 1: Analyzing each option.
• Iron: A hard and strong metal, not soft.
• Sodium: A very soft metal, can be cut easily with a knife.
• Aluminium: Moderately hard, not classified as a soft metal like alkali metals.
• Copper: Hard and tough metal, not soft.
Step 2: Identifying the correct answer.
Among the given options, only sodium belongs to alkali metals and is soft in nature.