Transition metals - AQAPhysical properties of transition elements
The transition elements are metals. They have high melting points and densities, and are strong and hard. They form coloured compounds and act as catalysts.
Most metalShiny element that is a good conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms basic oxides. are transition elementA metal that is located in between groups 2 and 3 of the periodic table and has coloured compounds.. They include iron, copper and chromium. The transition elements are in the central part of the periodic tableA tabular representation of all known elements in order based on atomic number, eg all the noble gases are found on the right of the periodic table..
Physical properties
The transition elements share some physical propertiesA description of the appearance of a substance or how it acts without involving chemical reactions. For example, state, melting point, conductivity, etc. with all metals:
they conduct electricity in the solid and liquid states
they are shiny when freshly cut
Some properties of transition elements are different from those of the metals in group 1The first vertical column of elements in the periodic table, starting with lithium and ending with francium. Also called the alkali metals.. Compared to other metals, most transition metals have:
higher melting pointThe temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid as it is heated.
higher densityA measure of compactness and the ratio of mass to volume. It is usually measured in kilograms per metre cubed (kg/m3) or grams per centimetre cubed (g/cm3).
greater strength
greater hardness
Remember that these are typical properties 鈥 some transition metals may not show one or more of them. For example, mercury meltingThe process that occurs when a solid turns into a liquid when it is heated. at just -39掳C, so it is a liquid at room temperature.