Transition Metals - Special Properties
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 8.4.2
Transition Metals - Special Properties
Because of their unique position in the periodic table, transition metals have some special properties that make them very useful for chemists:
Can form ions with different positive charges
- For example:
- Iron: Fe2+, Fe3+.
- Copper: Cu+, Cu2+.
Can form different colour compounds
- For example:
- Copper(I) sulfate is white.
- Copper(II) sulfate is blue.
- Potassium chromate(VI) is yellow.
Often used as catalysts
- For example:
- Iron (Fe) is the catalyst used in the Haber process, which results in the production of ammonia.
- Platinum (Pt) and rhodium (Rh) are used in catalytic converters in cars.
Test yourself on Transition Metals - Special Properties
Group 1 metals only form ions with 1 positive charge. Transition metals...
Platinum and rhodium are used in catalytic converters in cars. These are examples of transition metals being used as...