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The transition elements are the last group you must study for the GCSE syllabus. This is not a group; it is more of a table containing many elements placed according to their proton numbers. Transition elements have unique properties which make them attractive to learn. In this resource, you will learn about transition elements and their properties.
What are Transition Elements?
Transition elements are elements that have partially filled shells. One thing is clear: none of the transition elements is stable. You can find them between group 2 and group 3. All the elements between Group 2 and Group 3 are transition elements. There are no groups in transition elements. Let's take a look at their physical and chemical properties.
Physical Properties of Transition Elements
Like other groups, transition elements also have unique physical properties that make them special. Transition elements are metals in nature. Most of the metals in this world are transition metals.
Since transition elements are also metals, they acquire all the same properties that metals have. They have high melting and boiling points. This is because most transition metals are solid and at room temperature. Solids have the most potent force of attraction within atoms. A large amount of energy is required to overcome such a significant force. That is why transition elements have high melting and boiling points.
Furthermore, transition elements also conduct electricity. The conductance of electricity is due to transition metals having extra electrons in their valance shell. This allows them to conduct electricity. They are also good heat conductors because of their solid state. In addition, transition elements are coloured elements. There is no fixed colour trend, like in group 7, but they show different colours even after the reaction.
Due to their solid nature, they have high densities as well. Does this remind you of something? These properties are familiar, right? Most of the properties are almost the same as the group 1 properties. However, not all properties are identical; for example, group 1 elements are soft. They are so soft that they can be easily cut using a knife.
On the other hand, transition elements are complex. They are famous for their hardness. Transition metals are similar to group 1.
Chemical Properties of Transition Elements
Transition elements do take part in chemical reactions due to incomplete valance shells. However, it is not as simple as you think. In groups, we already know how many electrons are in the valance shell, but transition metals are also famous for variable oxidation states. It means that they have no fixed value to donate electrons. For example, the chemical formula of iron is Fe. Fe exists in both states, Fe+2 and Fe+3. This means iron is willing to donate at least two and, at most, three electrons to achieve stability. This goes for almost all elements in the transition metals. They have variable oxidation states. However, they will always form a positive ion because they are metals.
Due to the availability of extra electrons, they chemically react with other non-metals. One of the famous reactions of transition metals is the oxidation reaction.
Reaction with Oxygen
Transition metals react with oxygen to form oxide compounds. However, not all transition metals react with oxygen. They also react slowly with oxygen, another difference between group 1 and transition elements. Below is the reaction of copper with oxygen.
2Cu + O2 → 2CuO
Copper exists in the Cu+2 state. This means copper can donate two electrons from its shell to achieve stability. On the other hand, oxygen requires two electrons to complete its valance shell. Therefore, electron transfer creates a bond between copper and oxygen.
Reaction with Halogen
Some transition metals also react with halogens. Group 1 elements are highly reactive with halogens, but transition elements react slowly with halogens. Below is the reaction of iron and chlorine.
Fe + 2Cl → FeCl2
The above iron tends to lose 2 electrons. However, chlorine tends to accept one electron. That is why, to complete this reaction, we need two atoms of chlorine. Each atom of chlorine will occupy one electron from the iron.
Reaction with Water
Like group 1, transition elements also react with water. However, group 1 elements react vigorously with water, but transition elements react slowly.
Catalyst
Although transition elements are the least reactive, they are famous as catalysts. Most of the catalysts are made up of transition metals. Catalysts are chemical compounds/elements that speed up the reaction but don't participate in a chemical reaction. You will learn more about catalysts in upcoming resources. Therefore, transition metals react slowly but reduce the reaction time of other reactions. For example, iron is used as a catalyst in the Haber process (Ammonia making process). Platinum is another example of a transition element as a catalyst, which is used in the catalytical reforming process in the petroleum industry.
Synopsis of Chemical Properties
Transition elements are similar to group 1 elements. Most of the things are similar but not equal. For example, group 1 elements are soft, but transition metals are complex. Another example is group 1 elements, which can be cut through a knife, but transition elements are complex; they cannot be cut.
Another point to note is that group 1 elements are highly reactive. On the other side, transition metals react slowly. This means that transition metals are not good at reactions, but they are good at reducing the reaction time of other reactions because of their catalytical properties.
Conclusion
Transition elements are a part of the periodic table; you can find them between groups two and three. They are not a specific group, like others, but have their importance. Transition elements have unique physical properties that make them enjoyable, such as coloured elements, high densities, high melting and boiling points, and a few more. Not to forget about their chemical properties, such as variable oxidation states, reactions with hydrogen, oxygen, and water, and a few more. This concludes the topic of the periodic table, and the next topic will be bonding and structures.
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amazing side
It’s very educative,I learnt alot thanks ❤️
Was very educative and help. Gave me a broader understanding of the topic