Exercise: Transition Elements

Instructions
This paper has two sections; Section A, Section B and Section C.
Answer all questions.

In Section A, each question has four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose one that you consider to be
correct. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark.
In Section B and C the marks of each question are given in the square brackets [].

Section A
1. An element B forms B3+ ion. Which feature qualifies B to be a transition element?
A. The ion B3+ has partially filled d-orbital.
B. The precipitate B(OH)3 dissolves in excess sodium hydroxide.
C. The oxide containing B3+ is a catalyst.
D. Some compounds containing B3+ are coloured.

2. Which of the following electronic configuration represents a transition element in the ground state.
A. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d6 4s1
B. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5 4s1
C. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s1
D. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s0

3. Iron (Fe) has the atomic number of 26. Which of the following represents the electronic configuration
of Fe2 +¿¿ ion in the ground state?
[Ar] = electron configuration of argon atom.

4. Titanium has the following electronic configuration

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d2 4s2
Which one of the following compounds is not likely to exist?
A. TiO2
B. Ti 2 O3
C. K 2 TiCl4
D. Na2 TiO 4

5. The electronic configuration of vanadium is

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2
 What is the maximum oxidation number of vanadium in its compounds?
A. +5
B. +4
C. +3
D. +2
6. Which oxidation state(s) is/are not true for chromium ion (atomic number = 24) in its compounds?
1 +7
2 +6
3 +3
A. 1, 2 and 3 are correct.
B. 1 and 2 only are correct.
C. 2 and 3 only are correct.
D. 1 only is correct.
7. Transition elements are defined as elements that can form stable ions with incomplete 3d orbitals.
According to the above definition, transition elements have atomic number which is between
__________.
A. 21 and 30
B. 22 and 29
C. 22 and 30
D. 21 and 29
8. If the electronic configuration of a transition ion (M4+) is [Ar] 3d3, the atomic number of that element
is __________.
A. 24
B. 22
C. 27
D. 25
9. Atomic radii of transition elements __________.
A. decreases with increase in proton number
B. increases with increase in proton number
C. decreases then increases with increase in proton number
D. remains constant
10. Transition elements exhibit variable oxidation states because they are able to release electrons from
__________.
A. s, p and d orbitals
B. p and d orbitals
C. s and d orbitals
D. d orbital

11. Atoms of which transition element have only 1 electron in the 4s sub-shell?
A. Scandium
B. Cobalt
C. Zinc
D. Copper
12. Which one of the following is the electronic configuration of Cr3+?
A. [Ar] 3d3 4s1
B. [Ar] 3d2 4s1
C. [Ar] 3d4
 D. [Ar] 3d3
13. Which of the following provides the most satisfactory definition of transition metals?
A transition metal is an element which __________.
A. occurs in the d-block of the periodic table
B. forms an ion with a partially filled d-orbital
C. lies between scandium and zinc in the periodic table
D. has variable oxidation state in its compound

14. Transition metals are the only elements which form __________.
A. coloured ions in aqueous solution
B. complex ions with hydroxide ions
C. amphoteric oxides and hydroxides
D. covalently bonded anhydrous chlorides

15. Compared to s-block metals, transition metals generally form __________.

A. oxides which are more basic
B. salts which are more stable
C. ions which are reduced more easily
D. salts which are more ionic

16. Which one of the following ions has the smallest radius?
A. Cr3+
B. Ni2+
C. Ti3+
D. V2+

17. The three commonest oxidation states of manganese are __________.

A. +2, +3, +4
B. +2, +4, +7
C. +3, +4, +7
D. +3, +6, +7

18. Which one of these transition elements has the greatest number of oxidation states?
A. Chromium
B. Cobalt
C. Nickel
D. Silver

19. Which one of these transition elements might be left in the sludge at the bottom of a cell after the
electrolytic purification of copper?
A. Chromium
B. Vanadium
C. Nickel
D. Silver
20. Which one of these transition elements has the smallest density?
A. Chromium
B. Cobalt
C. Vanadium
 D. Silver
21. What are the oxidation state of vanadium in the ions VO2+ and VO43- respectively?
A. +4 and +5
B. +4 and +8
C. +6 and +5
D. +6 and +8

Section B
1. Give the name of the atoms with the following electronic configuration:

a. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2

Vanadium
b. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5 4s1
Chromium
c. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d7 4s2
Cobalt
d. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s1
Copper
e. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2
Zinc

2. Give the number of electrons in the d orbital of these ions.

a. Co2+
7
b. Cu+
10
c. V3+
2
d. Cr3+
3
e. Fe3+
5
3. Give the number of electrons in the d-obital of the following species
2+¿¿
a. Mn(aq)
5
b. Cu(s)
10

4. Complete the electronic arrangement of the Co2+ ion.

[Ar] 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3dx 4sy
a. X = __________.7
b. Y = __________.0

5. Complete the following electron configurations.

a. Cu: 1s22s22p63s23p64sX3dY.
 X= ___________. 1
Y= __________.10

b. Cu2+: 1s22s22p63s23p64sX3dY
X= ___________. 0

Y= __________.9
6. The most common oxidation state of transition ions is __________.
+2

7. The compound [CoCI2(en)2]Cl is formed when cobalt (II) chloride is treated, with the bidentate
ligand, NH2CH2CH2NH2.

What is the oxidation state of cobalt in the compound formed? +4

8. When titanium dissolves in concentrated hydrochloric acid, the violet [Ti(H 2O)4Cl2]+ ion is
formed. Deduce the oxidation state of titanium in this ion.

i. Oxidation state +3

9. What is the oxidation state of cobalt in [Co(NH3)6]Cl3? 6

Section C

1. Explain why Sc and Zn are not classified as transition metals. [2]

Because scandium form an ion with empty d-orbital and zinc form an ion with full d-
orbital but according to the definition, a transition metal form an ion with
incomplete d-orbital.
2. Give the full electronic configuration of a
a. copper atom
1s22s22p63s23p64s13d10
b. Iron(III) ion
1s22s22p63s23p63d5
c. Manganese atom
1s22s22p63s23p64s23d5
d. Zinc (II) ion
1s22s22p63s23p63d10
e. Cobalt atom
1s22s22p63s23p64s23d7
f. Chromium atom
1s22s22p63s23p64s13d5
[12]
3. What is a transition element? [2]
Transition metals are elements found in the d-block of the periodic table but are
more precisely defined as elements that can form stable ions which have incomplete
3d orbitals.

4. What feature of transition metals allows them to show variable oxidation states? [3]
The oxidation state formed by an element in its compounds is determined by the
maximum number of electrons the element lose without requiring so much energy.
This means that the successive ionisation energy of transition metals is low and
hence enables them to have variable oxidation states.

5. When FeCl3 and K 4 Fe(CN )6 are mixed together, a coloured compound that can be
used as a dye is obtained.
Give the oxidation states of iron in the two compounds.
a. FeCl3 +3
b. K 4 [Fe (CN )6 ] +2 [2]

6. Give the electronic configuration in a box arrangement for the following ions
a. Mn 2+¿¿
1s22s22p63s23p6 4s03d5
b. Mn3 +¿¿
1s22s22p63s23p64s03d4
c. Fe2 +¿¿
1s22s22p63s23p64s03d6
 d. Fe3 +¿¿
1s22s22p63s23p64s03d5
e. Co2+¿ ¿
1s22s22p63s23p64s03d7
f. Co3+ ¿¿
1s22s22p63s23p64s03d6

7. Explain why there are relatively small changes in the value of the first and second
ionisation energies in the first row of transition series scandium to zinc.
From scandium to zinc, proton number increases which results in a slight increase in
the effective nuclear charge and cause a slight increase in the ionisation energy.

8. The third ionisation energies of this series also show a gradual increase with an
unusual discontinuity.
a. Use the Data Booklet to plot a graph of proton number (x-axis) against third
ionisation energy (y-axis) for the elements scandium to zinc.
Answer
2500

2190 2176

2000 1950
1812 1768
1673
Ionisation Energy kJ/mol

1517
1500

1000

500

0
21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Proton number

9. The table below gives values of melting points of elements calcium to nickel

Atomic Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni
number 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Melting 850 1673 1950 2190 2176 1517 1812 1768 1728
 point/K

a. Plot a graph of melting point against proton number for the elements above. [2]
Answer
2500

2190 2176
2000 1950
1812 1768
1673
Melting point /K

1500 1517

1000
850

500

0
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Proton Number

b. Explain why the melting point of calcium is lower than the rest. [2]
Transition metals have high melting points due to their strong metallic bonding.
Metallic bonding is defined by delocalisation of valence electrons, leaving the
metal cations to be embedded in a sea of delocalised electrons. More
delocalised electrons, the stronger the metallic bonds. As seen in transition
metals, not only some 3d electrons are delocalised, but also the 4s electrons.
Compared to calcium which only has the 2s electrons to be delocalised.