Transition elements and variable oxidation states 

Answer the questions below. Some you will be able to answer using your GCSE knowledge, for others you
will need to do some research. 
Questions 
1          a     When sodium, Na, potassium, K, and lithium, Li, react they form ions.  Give the formula of the
ions they form.  
       Sodium: Na+ 
       Potassium: K+ 
       Lithium:  Li+                                                                                              (3 marks) 

      b     Complete this sentence: 

             When Group 1 metals react, they lose their one outer electron to form ions with a charge of 1+.
The oxidation state of Group 1 metal ions is +1.                                                                                              
(2 marks) 

2     a          When calcium, Ca, and magnesium, Mg, react they form ions. Give the formula of the ions they
form.  
       Calcium: Ca 2+ 
       Magnesium:    Mg 2+                                                                                             (2 marks) 

      b     Complete these sentences: 

             When Group 2 metals react, they lose their 2 outer electrons to form ions with a charge of 2+. The
oxidation state of Group 2 metal ions is +2.                                                                                                    
(2 marks) 

3    Transition metals can use their 3d as well as their 4s electrons in bonding. This means that they can
lose a different number of electrons depending on what they are bonding with. This results in a typical
transition metal forming several ions with different charges, or in other words a transition metal shows a
variety of oxidation states in different compounds. 
            a     For each the first-row transition metal elements (scandium to zinc), find out and list the most
common oxidation states for each element. 

Scandium: 3+ 
Titanium:  3+ ,4+ 
Vanadium: 2+,3+,4+,5+ 
Chromium: 6+, 3+, 2+ 
Manganese: 2+, 3+, 4+, 6+, 7+ 
Iron: 2+, 3+ 
Cobalt: 2+, 3+ 
Nickel: +2 
Copper: 2+ 
Zinc: 2+                                                     (10 marks) 

b     Virtually all of the first-row transition metal elements form an ion with an oxidation state of +2. Explain
why. 
  Because the 4s subshell electrons are lost first when transition metals react.  
                  (1 mark) 

      c     Which element shows the highest oxidation state? 

                  Manganese 
(1 mark) 

      d     How many electrons must it lose to form this ion? 5 

                  (1 mark) 

4    Vanadium forms an ion with an oxidation state of +5 which is yellow, and an ion with an oxidation
state of +4 which is blue. 
      a     Give the oxidation states of the ions V3+(aq) and V2+(aq).  
       V3+(aq): 3+ 
       V2+(aq): 2+                                                                                                         (2 marks) 

      b     Give the colours of the ions V3+(aq) and V2+(aq).  

       V3+(aq): Green 
       V2+(aq):            Purple                                                                (2 marks) 

5    Find out and explain what makes transition metal ions coloured.  
The radiation from visible light is absorbed, causing electrons to be promoted from one d-orbital to
another. These ions absorb a specific wavelength of radiation and reflect the rest, giving it colour.  

           (3 marks)