Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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General Physical & Chemical Properties of the First Row of Transition Elements, Titanium to Copper (CIE A Level Chemistry)

Exam Questions

41 mins4 questions
1a1 mark

This question is about transition metals. 

Explain what is meant by a transition metal. 

1b2 marks
i)
State the electronic configuration of Ti2+.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Explain, using the electronic configuration, why zinc is found in the d-block of the periodic table but not classed as a transition metal.
 
[1]
1c3 marks

Table 1.1 shows sketches of the shapes of some atomic orbitals.

 
Table 1.1 
 
Shape of orbital dxy-orbital s-orbital pz-orbital
Type of orbital    

 
 

Identify the type of orbital, s, p, or d.

1d2 marks

Transition metals have characteristic properties. One of these properties is that they form coloured ions.

State two other properties that transition metals or their ions exhibit.

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1a6 marks

Copper, vanadium and iron are all transition elements.

i)
Give the full electronic configuration of a Cu atom and a Cu2+ ion.
 
[2]
 
ii)
State four characteristic features of the chemistry of copper and its compounds.
 
[4]
1b5 marks

The chloride ion is a monodentate ligand. When concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to [Cu(H2O)6]2+ (aq) ions the water ligands are replaced.
 

i)
Define the term monodentate ligand.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Write an equation for the reaction that occurs when concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to [Cu(H2O)6]2+ (aq).
 
[1]
 
iii)
Draw the structure of the complex ion formed and name the shape it takes.
 
[2]
 
iv)
State the change in coordination number. 
 
[1]
1c3 marks

Vanadium (V) oxide is the catalyst used in the contact process as shown by the reactions:

SO2 + V2O5 → SO3 + V2O4

V2O4 + ½O2 → V2O5

i)
Using the equations, write an overall equation for the reaction.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Using the equations, explain why V2O5 is a catalyst.
 
[1]
 
iii)
Explain why V2O5 is able to act as a catalyst in this reaction.
 
[1]
1d3 marks

When iron(II) compounds dissolve in water they form [Fe(H2O)6]2+, the hexaaquairon(II) complex.

i)
State the full electronic configuration of an iron(II) ion.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Predict the shape and bond angle of the hexaaquairon(II) complex.
 
[2]

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2a2 marks

Explain why transition metals exhibit variable oxidation numbers compared to the elements in Group 1.

2b3 marks

Transition metal compounds and ions are often coloured. For example, [Cr(H2O)6]3+ is green. 

Complete Table 2.1 below to show the oxidation numbers of the transition element.

Table 2.1

ion

[Cr(H2O)6]3+

[Co(NH3)6]2+

[Cr(OH)6]3-

Mn2O3

oxidation number

 

 

 

 

2c3 marks

Water acts as a ligand when it reacts with zinc and cobalt ions, forming the complexes [Zn(H2O)6]2+ and [Co(H2O)6]2+ .

i)
Write the full electronic configuration for the metal ions in the following complexes.


   [Zn(H2O)6]2+ : ..................................................................................................


   [Co(H2O)6]2+ : ...................................................................................................

[2]

ii)
Explain why zinc is not classed as a transition element
[1]

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3a3 marks

Complete Table 3.1 below to show the oxidation numbers of the transition element.

Table 3.1

Ion

[Cu(Cl4)]2-

[Fe(H2O)6]3+

Cr2O72-

Oxidation state

 

 

 

3b3 marks

EUK-134 is a complex ion of manganese(III) used in skin care products to protect against UV damage as it has antioxidant properties.

q2c_13-1_medium_ib_hl_sq

i)
State the electron configuration of the manganese(III) ion in the complex shown above.
[1]
ii)
State the name given to species that bond to a central metal ion, and identify the type of bond present.
[2]

3c2 marks

Transition metals have certain characteristic properties.

State two properties that are involved in EUK-134 rapidly decreasing the concentration of oxidising agents. 

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