Transition Metals
TRANSITIONING
Lets start off by telling you that there are a lot of elements that are
considered transition metals. Which metals are the transition
metals?
21 (Scandium) through 29 (Copper)
39 (Yttrium) through 47 (Silver)
57 (Lanthanum) through 79 (Gold)
89 (Actinium) and all higher numbers.
HOW IS A TRANSITION METAL DEFINED?
The 38 elements in groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table are called "transition metals". As with all
metals, the transition elements are both ductile and malleable, and conduct electricity and heat. The
interesting thing about transition metals is that their outer shell (valence) electrons, or the electrons they
use to combine with other elements, are present in more than one shell. They can share electrons from
more than one shell as needed for the element to bond to another. This is the reason why they often
exhibit several common oxidation states. There are three noteworthy elements in the transition metals
family. These elements are iron, cobalt, and nickel, and they are the only elements known to produce a
magnetic field.
WHAT MAKES THEM SO SPECIAL?
It all has to do with their shells/orbitals. In grade 8 science, we try to stick to the first 18 elements
because they are easy to explain. Transition metals are good examples of advanced shell ideas. They
have a lot of electrons and distribute them in different ways.
Transition metals are able to put more than eight electrons in the
shell that is one in from the outermost shell. Think about argon
(Ar). It has 18 electrons set up in a 2-8-8 order. Scandium is only 3
spots away with 21 electrons, but it has a configuration of 2-8-9-2.
Wow! This is where it starts. This is the point in the periodic table
where you can place more than 8 electrons in a shell.
The transition metals are able to put up to 32 electrons in their
second to last shell. Something like gold (Au) has an organization
of 2-8-18-32-18-1. Of course, there are still some rules. No shell can
have more than 32 electrons. It's usually 18 or 32 for the maximum number of electrons.
ONE MORE THING
Most elements can only use electrons from their outer orbital to bond with other elements. Transition
metals can use the two outermost shells/orbitals to bond with other elements. It's a chemical trait that
allows them to bond with many elements in a variety of shapes. Why can they do that?
As you learn more, you will discover that most transition elements actually have two shells that are not
happy. Whenever you have a shell that is not happy, its electrons can bond with other elements.
Example: Molybdenum (Mo) with 42 electrons. The configuration is 2-8-18-13-1. The shells with 13 and 1
are not happy. Those two orbitals can use the electrons to bond with other atoms.
Periodic Table Location
1. Transition metals are found between groups 3 and 12 on the periodic table.
Types
2. Some of the most abundant transition metals include copper, cobalt, iron and nickel. However, there are a
total of 38 different types of transition metals on the periodic table. Other less abundant types of transition
metals include scandium and niobium.
Properties
3. Transition metals are ductile, malleable and conduct electricity as well as heat. Transition metals have valence
electrons in more than one of their electron shells.
Fact
4. Iron, cobalt and nickel are the only elements found on the periodic table that can produce a magnetic field.
Uses
5. Nickel, iron, titanium and copper are used to build buildings. They are also used for electrical technology.
Read more: Facts About Transition Metals | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5571412_transition-metals.html#ixzz17XdjNAiL; also
Chem4kids.com
Questions: SPOP
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What is the most interesting thing about transition metals?
How many transition metals are there?
What three transition metals are known to produce a magnetic field?
Where are the transition metals located on the periodic table?
What is the maximum number of electrons that can exist in an electron shell?
Name five (5) transition metals.
Which are the most abundant transition metals?
What are some uses for transition metals?