intro to transition metals

what is a transition metal?

a metal that can form one or more stable ions w/ an incomplete d sub level

by definition, which 2 elements in the d block of the periodic table are not transition metals?

• Sc

• Zn

when figuring out e^- configurations of the transition metals, in which order do we fill the orbitals? what does this mean for the ionisation of transition metals?

• 4s before 3d

• so when transition metals become ions, they lose 4s e^- before 3d e^-

give and explain the two exceptions to the electron configuration rule:

• Cr - [Ar] 4s¹ 3d⁵

• Cu - [Ar] 4s¹ 3d¹⁰

• as a half or fully filled subshell is more stable than a partially filled one

give 2 physical properties of transition metals:

• high densities

• high mpts/bpts

what is a physical property?

a characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing its chemical composition

give 4 chemical properties of transition metals:

• form coloured ions

• very good catalysts

• have variable oxidation states

• form complex ions

what is a chemical property?

properties which can only be observed or measured during a chemical reaction

give a transition metal with a variable oxidation state and explain why it has this:

Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ as the 4s and 3d orbitals are very similar in energy so different nos. of e^- can be lost/gained