1. THE TRANSITION
METALS

2. The Transition elements
Transition means “an in between state” and the transition elements come in between Group 2 and Group 3.
Gp 2
Gp 3 H Li Na K Rb Cs Fr Be Mg Ga Ge Se Br Ca Kr In Sn Sb Sr Te Ba Tl Pb Bi Po At Ra Al P N O S Cl F Ne Ar Rn I Si Xe He B C As
Transition Elements Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Pd Ag Cd Rh Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Au Hg La Pt Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt ? Ac

3. General Characteristics
Transition
Elements
They have
high density.
They often act as catalysts.
They mostly form
coloured
compounds.
They are less reactive
than Group 1 or
Group 2 metals.
They have
high melting
points.
Transition metals
are often referred to
as ‘typical’ metals.

4. Properties – density
Similarities are more noticeable than differences although there are still some broad patterns.
They are all dense which is what we expect of metals. Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

5. Properties – melting point
Melting points show no regular pattern – other than nearly all being high which is typical of metals.
(Note zinc doesn’t fit very well on either density or melting point.) Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

6. Properties – reactivity
Again it is similarities that stand out rather than differences: they tend to react relatively slowly (e.g.) with air, water and acid.
The general trend is to reduced activity across the Periodic Table but again the trend is far from perfect with zinc in particular being more reactive than you might expect.
Rusting: a slow but costly process! Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn
General reduced reactivity

7. Properties – catalysis
A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up.
Catalysts are hugely valuable in industry where they can save time and energy.
Many transition elements ( and their compounds) are catalysts. V Ni
Used in oil hydrogenation Ti
Used in plastic manufacture Fe

8. Uses
The three most commonly known transition elements are iron or steel, copper and zinc.
iron or steel
General engineering metal
copper
Electrical and plumbing work
zinc
Galvanising steel to protect it

9. Summary
The transition metals are found in the middle block of the periodic table
Transition metals have properties which make them useful for building and making things
Most of the metals we use are alloys. For example copper, gold and aluminium are all alloyed with other metals to make them harder