The Transition Metals

The Transition Metals

The transition metals are: Chromium, Manganese, Iron, Cobalt, Nickel and Copper.

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How do transition metals compare to alkali metals (group 1 metals)?

Transition metals:

• Have higher melting points (with the exception of mercury).
• Are more dense.
• Are less reactive with water and oxygen.

Properties of transition metals

Many transition elements have ions with different charges. For example, FeCl₂ is a compound that contains FE²⁺ ions and FeCl₃ is a compound that contains Fe³⁺ ions.

Compounds of transition metals are also often coloured. For example, potassium manganate (VII), KMnO₄, is purple and copper (II) sulphate, CuSo₄, is blue.

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Transition metals are also frequency used as catalysts, such as iron in the Haber process and nickel used in the manufacture of margarine.

The video below explains more about transition metals.