the transition metals.com[6]

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THE TRANSITIONMETALS


The Transition elements• Transition means “an in betweenin between 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 Nb Mo Tc Ru Pd Ag CdRh

Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Au HgLa Pt

Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt ? ?Ac ?

H

Li

Na

K

Rb

Cs

Fr

Be

Mg

Ga Ge Se BrCa Kr

In Sn SbSr Te

Ba Tl Pb Bi Po At

Ra

Al P

N O

S Cl

F Ne

Ar

Rn

I

Si

Xe

He

B C

As

Gp 2 Gp 3

Transition Elements


General Characteristics

Less reactivethan Group 1 orGroup 2 metals

They mostly formcolouredcompounds

They havehigh meltingpoints

They have high density

Transition metalsare often referred toas ‘typical’ metals

TransitionElements

Often act as catalysts


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.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Density (g/cm-3)

Sc

Ti

V

Cr

Mn

Fe

Co

Ni

Cu

Zn



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.)

0200400600800

100012001400160018002000

Melting Point ( C)

Sc

Ti

V

Cr

Mn

Fe

Co

Ni

Cu

Zn



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.


General reduced reactivity

Rusting: a slow

but costly process!


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.

VTi

Used in plastic manufacture

Fe

Ni

Used in oil hydrogenation


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


• Pair the metal up with its uses

iron or steel

copper

zinc

Activity


• Pair the metal catalyst with the substance.

V

Ti

Fe

Ni

Activity


• 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


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.


Which of these does copper NOTNOT tend to be

used for?

A. Plumbing work.

B. Electrical work

C. Ornaments and jewellery

D. Tools


Transition elements can speed up other reactions without getting used up in the process. What do we call substances that do this?

A. CapitalistsB. CatalystsC. CatholicsD. Catapults


Transition elements often form coloured compounds. What colour compound does copper usually form?

A.Blue B.Yellow C.RedD.Violet


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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