Transition metals
The transition metalA metal that is located in between group 2 and group 3 (labelled as group 13 on some modern periodic tables) and has brightly coloured compounds. are placed in the central block of the periodic tableA tabular representation of all known elements in order based on atomic number, eg all the noble gases are found on the right of the periodic table. between group 2 and 3.
Physical properties
The transition metals do not show trends in group properties, unlike group 1 and group 7, which do show trends.
Transition metals have similar properties, and some of these properties are different from those of the metals in group 1.
The transition metals have the following physical propertiesA description of the appearance of a substance or how it acts without involving chemical reactions. For example, state, melting point, conductivity, etc. in common:
- they are good conductorA material which allows charge to move easily through it. of heat and electricity
- they can be hammered or bent into shape easily
- they have high melting pointThe temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid as it is heated. (but mercury is a liquid at room temperature)
- they are usually hard and tough
- they have high densityA measure of compactness and the ratio of mass to volume. It is usually measured in kilograms per metre cubed (kg/m3) or grams per centimetre cubed (g/cm3).
Question
List three properties of transition metals that are different from the metals in group 1 (the alkali metals).
The three main differences are:
- high melting point (group 1 metals have low melting points)
- hard (group 1 metals are soft)
- high density (group 1 metals have lower densities)
Chemical properties
The transition metals have the following chemical propertiesA description of how a substance reacts with other substances. For example, flammability, pH, reaction with acid, etc. in common:
- they are less reactive than alkali metals such as sodium
- they form coloured ionElectrically charged particle, formed when an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons. of different charges
- some are very unreactive (silver and gold)
- many are used as catalystA substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction without being changed by the reaction itself.