7.2.1Acids, Bases and Salts
Transition Metals — Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 4 parts Lesson 4 of 11 Unit quiz
Section 1 of 4Typical Metal Properties
Transition metals share the general properties of metals, which set them apart from non-metals.
Appearance
- Transition metals are lustrous, meaning they have a shiny surface when freshly cut.
Strength
- Transition metals are hard and strong, and most have high melting points.
Conduction
- Transition metals conduct heat and electricity well, as all metals do.
Mercury
- Mercury is the exception among transition metals, with a low melting point that makes it a liquid at room temperature.
Section 2 of 4Properties Unique to Transition Metals
Some properties are found mainly in transition metals and their compounds.
1
Transition metals form ions with more than one charge, for example iron forms Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions.
2
Their compounds are often coloured, so copper compounds can be blue, black or green.
3
Copper(II) sulfate is blue, copper(II) oxide is black and copper(II) carbonate is green.
4
Transition metals and their compounds act as catalysts, speeding up reactions without being used up.
Section 3 of 4Uses of Transition Metals
The properties of each metal decide its use.
Uses of Transition Metals
Catalyst
- Iron is used as the catalyst in the Haber process, which makes ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen.
Structures
- Hard, strong metals such as iron are used in building construction and in machinery.
Wiring
- Copper is used for electrical wiring because it conducts electricity well and can be drawn into wire.
Pigments
- Coloured transition metal compounds are used to colour paints, glass and ceramics.
Section 4 of 4Exam Checklist & Tips
7.2.1 – Key Points for the Exam
- Transition metal A metal found in the central block of the Periodic Table that forms coloured compounds and ions with variable charges.
- Lustrous Having a shiny appearance, typical of metals.
- Catalyst A substance that speeds up a reaction and is chemically unchanged at the end.
- Variable charge The ability of an element to form ions with more than one charge.
Common Mistakes
- Saying all metals form coloured compounds; this is mostly a feature of transition metals.
- Writing that iron forms only Fe²⁺ ions; iron also forms Fe³⁺ ions.
- Stating that mercury has a high melting point because it is a metal;
- mercury is the exception and is a liquid at room temperature.
- Describing a catalyst as a reactant that is used up; a catalyst is recovered unchanged.
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