Transition metals sit in the centre of the table
Definition
Transition element
An element in the central block of the periodic table that has typical metallic properties and often forms coloured compounds and ions with different charges.
- The transition metals are found in the central block, between Group 2 and Group 3.
- They are typical metals: hard, strong, shiny and good conductors.
- They have high densities and high melting points (mercury is the exception, a liquid at room temperature).
- Everyday examples include iron, copper, nickel and zinc.
Key Idea
Transition metals behave as strong, dense, everyday metals, unlike the soft Group 1 metals.
Properties of individual transition metals
- Chromium is a lustrous, brittle and hard metal.
- Manganese is hard and very brittle, difficult to melt, but easy to oxidise.
- Iron is a good conductor, strong, ductile and malleable, and it rusts easily in air.
- Cobalt is brittle, hard and has a high melting point.
- Nickel is hard, malleable and ductile, and a fairly good conductor of heat and electricity.
- Copper is highly ductile and conductive, and also malleable and soft.
Note
- The exact properties vary from metal to metal, but nearly all are hard, dense and good conductors.
- Even the softest here, copper, is far harder and denser than any Group 1 metal.
How transition metals compare with Group 1
Definition
Group 1 metal
An alkali metal in Group 1 of the periodic table, such as lithium, sodium or potassium.
- Compared with a Group 1 metal, a transition metal is much harder and stronger.
- Transition metals have higher densities than the low-density Group 1 metals.
- They have higher melting points than the low-melting-point alkali metals.
- Transition metals are much less reactive than Group 1 metals.
- They react slowly or not at all with water and oxygen, while Group 1 metals react vigorously.
Self review
- Where in the periodic table are the transition metals?
- Answer: in the central block, between Group 2 and Group 3.
- Give the properties of iron as a typical transition metal.
- Answer: a good conductor, strong, ductile and malleable, and it rusts easily in air.
- Which of chromium, cobalt and copper is described as soft?
- Answer: copper.
- Give two ways transition metals are physically different from Group 1 metals.
- Answer: they are harder and stronger, and have higher densities and melting points.
- How does their reactivity compare with Group 1?
- Answer: transition metals are much less reactive, reacting slowly or not at all with water and oxygen.
