1.3.1 Typical Properties of Transition Metals

Here are the typical properties of transition metals:

1. High Melting and Boiling Points

• Transition metals usually have high melting and boiling points. This means they remain solid at higher temperatures compared to many other metals. For example, iron has a melting point of 1538°C.

2. High Density

• Transition metals tend to have a high density, meaning they are quite heavy for their size. For example, gold is very dense and feels much heavier than a piece of aluminium of the same size.

3. Good Conductors of Heat and Electricity

• Transition metals are excellent conductors of heat and electricity. This makes them very useful in electrical wiring (like copper) and in cooking utensils (like stainless steel).

4. Malleability and Ductility

• These metals are malleable, meaning they can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking. They are also ductile, so they can be drawn into wires. These properties make them useful in construction and manufacturing.

5. Forming Coloured Compounds

• One of the most distinctive features of transition metals is that they often form coloured compounds. For example, copper compounds are usually blue or green, while iron compounds can be green, brown, or yellow. This happens because transition metals can exist in several different oxidation states, which affects the colour.

6. Catalytic Properties

• Transition metals and their compounds are often used as catalysts in chemical reactions. A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up itself. For example, iron is used as a catalyst in the Haber process to make ammonia, and platinum is used in catalytic converters in cars.

7. Variable Oxidation States

• Transition metals can have multiple oxidation states, meaning they can lose different numbers of electrons and form ions with different charges. For example, iron can form Fe²⁺ (iron II) and Fe³⁺ (iron III), which contributes to the wide variety of compounds these metals can form.

8. Less Reactive than Alkali Metals

• Compared to alkali metals (like sodium or potassium), transition metals are less reactive. They do not react as vigorously with water or oxygen, which makes them more stable and useful for making durable tools and structures.