Transition Metal

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Transition Metals (also known as transition elements) are a block of elements on the Periodic Table between Group 2 and Group 3.

About Transition Metals

Transition Metals have the physical properties of metals.

Transition Metals bond together with metallic bonds in which positive ions are surrounded by a sea of negatively charged electrons (known as delocalised electrons.

Transition metals

Period 4	21Sc	22Ti	23V	24Cr	25Mn	26Fe	27Co	28Ni	29Cu	30Zn
Period 5	39Y	40Zr	41Nb	42Mo	43Tc	44Ru	45Rh	46Pd	47Ag	48Cd
Period 6	57La	72Hf	73Ta	74W	75Re	76Os	77Ir	78Pt	79Au	80Hg
Period 7	89Ac	104Rf	105Db	106Sg	107Bh	108Hs	109Mt	110Ds	111Rg	112Cn

Melting Point

Transition Metals usually have high melting points because metallic bonds are very strong, keeping the atoms vibrating in fixed positions.

The transition metal melting points measured in Kelvin are written below each chemical symbol.

N.B. The Period 7 elements have not been included as they do not occur naturally and have not been made in large enough quantities to find their melting points.

Density

Transition Metals have a high density compared to other elements. However, many of the Actinides also have a density.

The transition metal densities measured in kilograms per metre cubed are written below each chemical symbol.

N.B. The Period 7 elements have not been included as they do not occur naturally and have not been made in large enough quantities to find their [density|densities]].

Reactivity

The Transition Metals are much less reactive than elements in group 1 and group 2.

Most of the Transition Metals react slowly with Oxygen, Water and the Halogens at room temperature and some will not react at all.

For combustion to occur the Transition Metals must be heated to very high temperatures. However, some Transition Metals will not combust at all.

Ion Formation

Transition Metals form positive ions during chemical reactions.