Why the name transition elements for the ‘d block’ elements? Yevkkaar, let us try to know briefly about Transition Elements, Transition Elements is a common name given for the ‘d block’ elements. They are placed in a periodic table in between ‘s and p block’ elements, hence this term transition element is given to them. Their general electronic configuration can be represented as ns1-2, (n-1)d1-10 The properties of transition elements are also transitional between highly reactive metals of ‘s block’ elements, which are typically ionic, and the elements of ‘p block’ which are largely covalent. Four series of elements are formed by filling the 3d, 4d, 5d and 6d shells of electrons, often called as the first, second, third and fourth row of transition series, respectively. However, in the standard books, only up to 5d series is mentioned. And together they are called transition or d block elements. The lanthanides and actinides are often called inner transition elements as they are also placed in between this d block.