Transition elements
- Transition metals are found in the centre of the Periodic table between Group 2 and Group 3
- Most metals are transition metals and have properties typical of a metal:
- They are lustrous
- They are hard and strong
- They conduct heat and electricity
- They have high melting points
- Except mercury: This has a low melting point which is why it is a liquid at room temperature
The transition metals in the Periodic Table
Transition metals are found in the middle of the Periodic Table
- There are some properties that are only typical of transition metals:
- They form ions with different charges
- E.g. Iron forms Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions
- They are useful as catalysts
- E.g. Iron is used as the catalyst in the Haber process
- They form ions with different charges
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- They form coloured compounds
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E.g. Copper forms blue copper sulfate, black copper oxide and green copper carbonate
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- They form coloured compounds
Coloured compounds formed by transition metal ions
The colours produced by some transition metal ions
Examiner Tip
Although scandium and zinc are in the transition element area of the Periodic Table, they are not considered transition elements as they do not form coloured compounds and have only one oxidation state.
