transition elements

Question 1

whats special about chromium and copper and why?

Answer 1

have the 3d subshell before 4s. this is due to a partially filled/whole d subshell is more stable

Question 2

why are scandium and zinc not transition metals

Answer 2

scanidum only forms sc3+

zinc only forms zn2+

doesnt have an ion with partially filled d subshell so not a transiton element

Question 3

transition element properties

Answer 3

• form coloured compounds
• act as catalysts
• form compounds in which the transition element has different oxidation states

Question 4

ligand substituion in heamoglobin

Answer 4

blood carries O2 around the body, when CO enters the body a ligand substituon reaction takes place and replaces O2. CO has a strong affinity to the Fe2+ so that the process is irreversible leading to death