The properties of transition metals
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Summary
The properties of transition metals
In a nutshell
Most metals are transition metals. Transition metals can be found between groups on the periodic table. Transition metals have particular physical properties as well as being able to possess multiple oxidation states.
Physical properties
Transition metals share common properties with metals such as:
- Conducting heat
- Ability to conduct electricity both in solid and liquid states
- Being very lustrous (shiny when cut)
There are some differences between transition metals and other metals. Transition metals tend to have:
- Higher melting points
- Higher density
- More than one oxidation state
- Greater strength
- Greater hardness
It is important to remember that these are typical properties, some transition elements may not show all of them. Gold for instance is not hard, it is in fact soft yet it is still a transition metal.
Metal | Position | Melting Point | Density | Hardness |
| | Group | | | |
| | Group | | | |
| | Transition | | | |
| | Transition | | | |
| | Transition | | | |
| | Transition | | | |
Note: In the table the transition elements tend to have higher melting points, higher densities and are harder.
The position of the transition metals in the periodic table is shown below.
Transition elements as catalysts
Transition elements are often used as catalysts due to their ability to take up multiple oxidation states. Catalysts speed up the rate of reaction without being used up by the reaction.
Examples
Common transition metal catalysts include iron in the Haber process or platinum catalytic converters in cars.
Note: An oxidation number/state is a number given to each atom in a compound to represent the number of electrons they have. So, iron can have the oxidation number of or
Transition metals and coloured compounds
When a group metal is dissolved in water they will typically form white compounds. However, transition elements form a variety of colours.
Compound | Copper | Iron | Iron | Cobalt | Vanadium |
Colour | Blue | Pale green | Orange / brown | Pink | Yellow / orange |
Iron has the ability to be more than one colour. This is because iron has many different stable oxidation states, for each oxidation state there is a different colour.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What are some uses of transition metals?
Common uses of transition metals include being used as catalysts due to their ability to be stable in multiple oxidation states and fireworks due to their bright colours.
What are some examples of transition metals?
Some transition metals are; iron, zinc, mercury, aluminium and chromium. There are many more, 38 in total.
What is a transition metal?
A transition metal is a metal which is found between Groups 2-3 on the periodic table.