Properties of Transition Metals Flashcards

All 13 cards in this deck

Where are the transition elements found in the periodic table?

In the central block, between Group 2 and Group 3.

Name the six transition metals used as examples in the specification.

Chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu).

State three typical chemical properties of many transition metals.

They form ions with different charges, they form coloured compounds, and they are useful as catalysts.

An element R forms ions with the formulae $R^{2+}$ and $R^{3+}$. What type of element is R most likely to be?

A transition metal, because transition metals form ions with different charges.

e.g. iron forms $Fe^{2+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$

True or false? Most transition metals form colourless compounds.

False. Transition metals form coloured compounds.

e.g. copper(II) sulfate solution is blue

What are the steps to pick out the metal in a list that is most likely to act as a catalyst?

e.g. aluminium (Al), barium (Ba), potassium (K), vanadium (V)

1. Find each metal in the periodic table.
2. Look for one in the central block between Group 2 and Group 3 — vanadium.
3. Answer that transition metal: vanadium (V).

How do the melting points of the transition metals compare with those of the Group 1 metals?

Transition metals have higher melting points (Group 1 metals have lower melting and boiling points).

How do the densities of the transition metals compare with those of the Group 1 metals?

Transition metals have higher densities; Group 1 metals have low densities.

How do the strength and hardness of the transition metals compare with those of the Group 1 metals?

Transition metals are stronger and harder; Group 1 metals are softer.

e.g. iron is hard, but sodium can be cut with a knife

How does the reactivity of the transition metals with oxygen, water and halogens compare with that of the Group 1 metals?

Transition metals are less reactive — they react much more slowly, or not at all, with oxygen, water and halogens.

True or false? Iron reacts vigorously with cold water in the same way as sodium does.

False. Transition metals such as iron react very slowly or not at all with cold water, unlike Group 1 metals.

True or false? Group 1 metals are widely used as catalysts.

False. It is the transition metals that are useful as catalysts.

True or false? Cobalt is a transition element, so a solution containing $\mathrm{Co^{2+}}$ ions is likely to be coloured.

True. Transition metals such as cobalt form coloured compounds and coloured solutions.