What is special about the electrons of the transition metals?
The electron configuration of transition metals is special in the sense that they can be found in numerous oxidation states. Although the elements can display many different oxidation states, they usually exhibit a common oxidation state depending on what makes that element most stable.
What is the density of transition metals?
Typical transition elements
| Metal | Position | Density |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | Transition elements | 7.87 g/cm 3 |
| Cobalt | Transition elements | 8.90 g/cm 3 |
| Nickel | Transition elements | 8.90 g/cm 3 |
| Copper | Transition elements | 8.92 g/cm 3 |
What is the trend of density in transition elements?
The transition elements are much denser than the s-block elements and show a gradual increase in density from scandium to copper. This trend in density can be explained by the small and irregular decrease in metallic radii coupled with the relative increase in atomic mass.
What are the main transition metals?
The first main transition series begins with either scandium (symbol Sc, atomic number 21) or titanium (symbol Ti, atomic number 22) and ends with zinc (symbol Zn, atomic number 30). The second series includes the elements yttrium (symbol Y, atomic number 39) to cadmium (symbol Cd, atomic number 48).
How do transition metals lose electrons?
As you may notice, they can form ions by either losing or gaining electron in 4s orbital. In the chemistry of the transition elements, the 4s orbital behaves as the outermost, highest energy orbital. When these metals form ions, the 4s electrons are always lost first, leading to a positive charge on ion.
Why do transition elements have high density?
In general, transition metals possess a high density and high melting points and boiling points. These properties are due to metallic bonding by delocalized d electrons, leading to cohesion which increases with the number of shared electrons.
What are the characteristics of the transition elements?
General Characteristics of Transition Elements
- Metallic Character.
- Melting and Boiling Point.
- Atomic (Covalent) and Ionic Radii.
- The ionization energy (IE)
- Colour.
- Formation of Alloys.
- Interstitial Compounds.
- Variable Oxidation State.
