Transition Elements

The Physical Properties of Transition Elements

1. There are typical metals and have the common properties of metals.

• High melting and boiling points
• High densities
• Good conductors of electricity and heat
• Strong, hard , ductile and malleable
• Lustros appearance

2.Beside the common properties of metal, the transition metal have certain characteristic properties.

• They often form coloured compounds and their ions exhibit various colour in aqueous solutions.
• They exhabit variable oxidation states
• The elements and their compounds are highly active catalyts.

3.Compounds of transition metals are often recognized by their characteristic colour.

Compounds	Colour
Hydrated Iron (ll) sulphate	Pale green
Hydrated Iron (lll) chloride	Brown
Copper (ll) sulphate	Blue
Potassium manganate (lV)	Purple

4.The presence of transition elements and their compound in valuable gemstones produce attractive colour.

Gemstone	Transition element present
Amethyst (purple crystal)	Manganese
Yellow/ Green sapphires	Iron
Blue sapphire	Titanium iron
Ruby (blood red)	Chromium

Uses of transition Elements in Industry

1. Transition metals and their compounds are used as industry catalyst so that useful chemicals are produced at a faster rate and at a lower fuel cost.

   Process	Catalyst
   Haber process	Iron
   Contact process	Vanadium (V) oxide
   Ostwald process	Platinum