Properties of transition metals

• Transition metals and their compounds are used in a wide range of goods and as catalysts in industry
• Transition metals are located in the central block of the periodic table between group 2 and group 3
• Physical properties of transition metals:

  • They do not show trends in group properties like group 1 and group 7
  • They are good conductors of heat and electricity
  • They can be hammered or bent into shape easily
  • They have high melting points (except mercury which is a liquid at room temperature)
  • They are usually hard and tough
  • They have high densities
• Three properties of transition metals that are different from metals in group 1 (alkali metals):

  • High melting point (group 1 metals have low melting points)
  • Hard (group 1 metals are soft)
  • High density (group 1 metals have lower densities)
• Chemical properties of transition metals:

  • They are less reactive than alkali metals like sodium
  • They form coloured ions of different charges
  • Some are very unreactive like silver and gold
  • Many are used as catalysts
• Transition metals and their compounds are used in a wide range of goods and as catalysts in industry
• Properties of individual transition metals determine their specific uses
• Transition metals have a wide range of uses with similar but not identical properties
• It is important to choose the right transition metal for the required purpose
• Gold:

  • Use: Jewellery
  • Reason: Does not react with air or water at room temperature, can be bent and hammered into shape (malleable)
  • Use: Electrical connectors
  • Reason: Good conductor of electricity
• Silver:

  • Use: Jewellery
  • Reason: Does not react with air or water at room temperature
  • Use: Printed circuit boards and electrical contacts
  • Reason: Good conductor of electricity
• Copper:

  • Use: Electrical wires
  • Reason: Good conductor of electricity, can be shaped into wires (ductile)
  • Use: Printed circuit boards
  • Reason: Good conductor of electricity
  • Use: Water pipes
  • Reason: Does not react with water at room temperature, can be hammered or bent into shape
• Iron:

  • Usually mixed with small amounts of other elements to make steels, which are harder and stronger than iron
  • Reacts slowly with water and air to produce rust, must be protected with a layer of paint
  • Use: Building material (e.g. bridges, buildings, ships, cars)
  • Reason: Strong, easily shaped, and cheap compared to most other metals
  • Use: Catalyst in the chemical industry (e.g. in the Haber process)
  • Reason: Increases the rate of certain reactions but can be recovered unchanged at the end
• Chromium:

  • Use: To coat other metals (such as iron) on cars and bicycles
  • Reason: Stays shiny when polished, resistant to corrosion
  • Use: Catalyst in the chemical industry
  • Reason: Increases the rate of certain reactions but can be recovered unchanged at the end