Transition Metals (WJEC GCSE Chemistry)

Transition Elements

What are the general properties of transition metals?

• Transition metals are found in the centre of the Periodic Table 

• They display typical metallic properties:

  • They have high melting and boiling points

  • They are malleable (can be hammered into shape) 

  • They have a high density

  • They conduct electricity and heat 

• In addition to these, transition metals have some other properties:

  • They form coloured compounds

  • They can form more than one type of ion 

    • E.g. Iron can form Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions

  • The are useful as catalysts

    • They speed up the rate of a chemical reaction in industrial processes

    • Iron is used as a catalyst in the Haber process to manufacture ammonia 

    • Platinum is also used in car exhausts in catalytic converters to reduce the levels of nitrous oxides and carbon monoxide produced

The transition metals

The transition elements on the Periodic Table are highlighted in blue

Higher Tier

• Transition metals can form more than one ion and their compounds are often coloured

• For example, copper(II) sulfate contains Cu²⁺ ions, and is a blue compound

Copper(II) sulfate crystals

Photo by Wikimedia commons

Table of ions and their colours