Transition Elements: Properties

Question 1

what are transition elements?

Answer 1

• d-block elements that have an ion with an incomplete d sub shell(partially filled)

Question 2

what is a d block element?

Answer 2

• an element that has its highest energy electron in d subshell

Question 3

what elements in the d block cannot be transition elements?

Answer 3

• scandium
• zinc

Question 4

why can’t scandium be a transition element?

Answer 4

• scandium does not form ions with partially filled d orbitals
• d sub shell is completely empty

Question 5

why can’t zinc be a transition element?

Answer 5

• zinc does not form ions with partially filled d orbitals
• the d subshell is completely full

Question 6

what are the three main properties of transition elements?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

why can transition elements be catalysts?

Answer 7

• provide a good surface area on which the reaction can take place

Question 8

what are example of transition elements as catalyts?

Answer 8

• Haber Process = iron metal catalyst
• Contact process = V2O5 catalyst
• hydrogenation of alkenes: = nickel metal catalyst
• decomposition of hydrogen peroxide = MnO2(managanese dioxide)
• Zn with acids = Cu2+, copper sulfate

Question 9

what are the exceptions involved in the electronic configurations of transition elements?

Answer 9

• chromium
• copper

Question 10

what is the electronic configuration of chromium?

Answer 10

1s2,2s2,2p6,3s2,3p6,3d5,4s1

Question 11

what is the electronic configuration of copper?

Answer 11

1s2,2s2,2p6,3s2,3p6,3d10,4s1