Q: What makes an element a transition metal
A: It must form an ion with an incomplete d sub-shell.
Q: When transition metals form ions, which electrons are lost first?
A: The 4s electrons are lost before the 3d electrons.
Q: What is the electron configuration of Ni²⁺?
A: [Ar] 4s⁰ 3d⁸ — because 4s electrons are lost first
Q: Why isn’t Zn classed as a transition metal?
A: Because Zn²⁺ has a complete d orbital (3d¹⁰), so it doesn’t have an incomplete d level in its ions.
Q: Why isn’t Sc a transition metal?
A: Sc³⁺ has an empty d orbital (3d⁰), so it doesn’t meet the incomplete d orbital requirement
Q: Name four typical characteristics of transition metals.
Form coloured ions
Show variable oxidation states
Can form complex ions
Have catalytic activity
Q: What is a ligand?
A: An atom, ion or molecule that donates a lone pair to a metal ion.
Q: What is coordinate bonding?
A: A covalent bond where both shared electrons come from the same atom (the ligand)
Q: What does coordination number mean?
A: The number of coordinate bonds formed by the central metal ion.
Q: What is the difference between monodentate and bidentate ligands?
A:
Monodentate: binds through only one atom
Bidentate: binds through two atoms (two lone pairs)
Q: What is a multidentate ligand?
A: A ligand that can form more than two coordinate bonds to the metal ion.
Q: What shape do complexes with coordination number 6 usually have?
A: Octahedral.
Q: What shape do complexes with coordination number 4 usually have?
A: Tetrahedral or square planar.
Which metals commonly form square planar complexes?
A: Platinum (Pt) and Nickel (Ni).
Q: Give an example of an octahedral complex ion.
A:
[𝐶𝑢(𝐻2𝑂)6]2+
Q: Give an example of a tetrahedral complex ion.
A: [𝐶𝑜𝐶𝑙4]2-
Q: Why do transition metal ions have colour?
A: Because d–d electron transitions absorb certain wavelengths of visible light.
Q: Why must the d sub-shell be incomplete for colour?
A: Because electrons need empty d orbitals to jump into.
Q: What colour is observed from a transition metal complex?
A: The complementary colour of the light absorbed.
Q: Why are Zn²⁺ and Sc³⁺ ions colourless?
A: They have no d–d transitions (full or empty d subshell).
Q: What is a ligand substitution reaction?
A: A reaction where one ligand replaces another in a complex ion.
Q: What happens when excess ammonia is added to
[𝐶𝑢(𝐻2𝑂)6]2+?
A: Water ligands are replaced to form [𝐶𝑢(𝑁𝐻3)4(𝐻2𝑂)2]2+
Q: What colour change occurs when ammonia is added to aqueous Cu²⁺?
A: Pale blue → deep blue.
at colour change occurs when chloride ions replace water in Cu²⁺ complexes?
A: Blue → yellow/green
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Polyatomic Ions13
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Chapter 1 & 222
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Chapter 341
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Chapter 424
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Chapter 524
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Chapter 623
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Chapter 725
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Chapter 817
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Wrong questions17
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Chapter 928
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Chapter 1040
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Chapter 1135
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Chapter 1220
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RADICAL SUBSTITUTION(pentane and bromine)18
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Chapter 1327
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Chapter 1418
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Chapter 1520
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Chapter 1712
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Chapter 1834
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Chapter 1919
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enthalpy definitions17
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Chapter 2031
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Chapter 2128
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Chapter 2237
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Chapter 2331
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Chapter 2435
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Chapter 26.125
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Chapter 26.237
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Chapter 27.122
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Chapter 27.241
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Chapter 254
