General properties

Question 1

What is a transition metal?

Answer 1

An element that has an incomplete d sub-shell in either its atoms or its ions.

Question 2

Why are scandium and zinc not transition metals?

Answer 2

This is because they do not form a stable ion with a partially filled d sub-shell.

Question 3

What is different about chromium and copper’s electron arrangement?

Answer 3

An electron from the 4s orbital moves into the 3d orbital to create a more stable half full or full 3d sub-shell respectively.

Question 4

What are the 4 general properties of transition metals?

Answer 4

• Variable oxidation states
• Good catalysts
• Forms coloured compounds
• Formation of complexes

Question 5

What is a ligand?

Answer 5

A ligand is a molecule or ion that forms a co-ordinate bond with a transition metal by donating a pair of electrons.

Question 6

What is a complex

Answer 6

A complex is a central metal atom or ion surrounded by ligands

Question 7

What are the colours of different Vanadium oxidation states?

Answer 7

V2 + Violet
V3 + Green
VO 2+ Blue
VO2 + Yellow