Transition metals

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THE TRANSITION
METALS

2. N O
He
F Ne
Ar
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The Transition elements
• Transition means “an iinn bbeettwweeeenn state”
and the transition elements come in
between Group 2 and Group 3.
Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn
Y Zr NbMo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd
La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg
Ac Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt ? ? ?
H
Li
Na
K
Rb
Cs
Fr
Be
Mg
Al P
S Cl
Ca GaGe Se Br Kr
Sr In Sn Sb Te
Ba Tl Pb Bi Po At
Ra
Rn
I
Si
Xe
B C
As
Gp 2 Gp 3
Transition Elements

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General Characteristics
Less reactive
than Group 1 or
Group 2 metals
They mostly form
coloured
compounds
They have
high melting
points
They have
high density
Transition metals
are often referred to
as ‘typical’ metals
Transition
Elements
Often act
as
catalysts

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Properties – Density
• Similarities are more noticeable than differences
although there are still some broad patterns.
• They are all dense (heavy) which is what we
expect of metals.
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Density (g/cm-3)
Sc
Ti
V
Cr
Mn
Fe
Co
Ni
Cu
Zn
Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

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Properties – Melting Point
E.g. Melting points show no regular pattern – other than
nearly all being high which is typical of metals.
(Note zinc doesn’t fit very well on either density or
melting point.)
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Melting Point ( C)
Sc
Ti
V
Cr
Mn
Fe
Co
Ni
Cu
Zn
Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

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Properties – Reactivity
• Again it is similarities that stand out
rather than differences: they tend to
react relatively slowly (e.g.) with air,
water and acid.
• The general trend is to reduced activity
across the PeriodicTable but again the
trend is far from perfect with zinc in
particular being more reactive than you
might expect.
Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn
General reduced reactivity
Rusting:
a slow
but costly
process!

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Properties – Catalysis
• A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a
chemical reaction without being used up.
• Catalysts are hugely valuable in industry
where they can save time and energy.
• Many transition elements ( and their
compounds) are catalysts.
V
Ti
Used in plastic
manufacture
Fe
Ni
Used in oil
hydrogenation

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Uses
• The three most commonly known transition
elements are iron or steel, copper and zinc.
iron or
steel
General
engineering
metal
copper
Electrical
and
plumbing
work
zinc
Galvanising
steel to
protect it

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• Pair the metal up with its uses
copper
iron or
steel
zinc
Activity

10. • Pair the metal catalyst with the substance.
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Fe
Ni
Ti
V
Activity

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• Pair the statement about the transition
elements with the words
The **** elements fit
between group 2 and 3.
catalysts
They tend to be very**** reactive
Most are not especially *** coloured
They are all typical**** similar
They often form compounds
that are ****
transition
They often speed up
reactions by acting as ****
metals
Activity

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Which is a true statement about most
transition elements?
A. They are non-metals.
B. They are light (low density).
C. They are strong.
D. They are non-conductors.

13. Which of these does copper NNOOTT tend to be
used for?
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A. Plumbing work.
B. Electrical work
C. Ornaments and jewellery
D. Tools

14. Transition elements can speed up other
reactions without getting used up in the
process. What do we call substances that do
this?
A. Capitalists
B. Catalysts
C. Catholics
D. Catapults
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15. Transition elements often form coloured
compounds. What colour compound does
copper usually form?
A.Blue
B.Yellow
C.Red
D.Violet
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16. How would you describe the reactivity of
transition elements within the Periodic
Table?
A.Always more reactive across periods (left
to right).
B.Generally less reactive across periods
(left to right).
C.No change in reactivity.
D.Changes but no trends in reactivity.
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