C1aL11 Transition Metals

Key Words

Atoms - basic particle of an element.

Conductors - materials that carry electricity or heat easily.

Delocalised - electron that is free to move about.

Electron - tiny negatively charged particle.

Element - a substance mad up of only one kind of atom.

Layers - rows of atoms in the same plane.

Metal - an element that conducts heat and electricity and forms positive ions in chemical reactions.

Periodic table - arrangement of elements that have similar chemical properties.

Properties - feature of materials

Structural - materials used in structures like buildings.

Transition metals - elements found between Groups II and III in the periodic table.

 

Test Yourself

Homework
Chemistry GCSE
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Grade E

The Transition Metals are found in the middle of the periodic table, between Groups II and III:

Metals form the majority of the elements.  There are 21 non-metals which are on the right of the red line.

Transition metals have many useful properties:

  • Iron (rather its alloy, steel) is very cheap, and strong;

  • Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.

 

Grade C

Metals have a few outer shell electrons, which are delocalised.  This means that they are free to drift from atom to atom.  We can explain the idea of electrical conduction in terms of metals being a fixed lattice of positively charged ions  in a sea of free electrons.

The electrons can easily be made to move by applying a voltage.  Actually they are moving about randomly anyway, but when a voltage is applied, there is a drift from one side to the other.  Therefore metals are good conductors of electricity. 

When heat is applied, the electrons cause collisions with the ions, making them vibrate more.  Therefore the metals are good conductors of heat.

The electrical attraction between the ions and the electrons gives the metals their strength.  However the layers of ions can move over each other easily, making it easy to draw them into wires (ductile), or beat them into shape with a hammer (malleable).

 

Grade A

The good conductivity of heat by metals makes them feel cold to the touch.  This is because heat energy can flow quickly away from your hand.  Non-metals are poor conductors, so feel warm to the touch.