mac noob -deleting files

hey there guys
im kinda new around here and just got my second mac, my first one was DOA so my whole mac experience has been kind of ruined but hey we are getting there.
Was just wondering if anyone could help me with deleting files
If i have a file selected is there any way to use a keyboard shortcut to delete it (ie on windows you would hit delete)
also is there anyway to delete just a selected file from the trash
not all of the files

thanks heaps in advance
nathan