Transition Metals vs. Alkali Metals (AQA GCSE Chemistry)

• The transition elements are located between Groups 2 and 3 in the centre of the periodic table
• They have all of the typical properties of metals but there are some key differences between them and the Group 1 metals

Location of the transition metals in the Periodic Table

The transition elements on the Periodic table

• All of the Group 1 metals form ions with a +1 charge while the transition metals can form ions with variable charges
• For example iron can form an Fe²⁺ ion or an Fe³⁺ ion
• The transition metals are much harder, stronger and denser than the group 1 metals, which are very soft and light
• They have much higher melting points e.g. titanium melts at 1,688 ºC whereas potassium melts at only 63.5 ºC, not far off the average cup of tea!
• The transition metals are much less reactive than the Group 1 metals
• The alkali metals react with water, oxygen and halogens while the transition metals either react very slowly or do not react at all
• A classic example of this is the reaction with oxygen
• A Group 1 metal will tarnish in the presence of oxygen as a metal oxide is formed
• When cut with a knife, the shiny appearance of the metal disappears in seconds as it is covered by the dull metal oxide
• Iron on the other hand can take several weeks to react with oxygen to form iron oxide (rust) and requires the presence of water