Starter quiz
- The periodic table is organised into rows called periods and columns called ______.
- 'groups' ✓
- What is an element?
- A mixture of different substances.
- A substance made of one type of atom. ✓
- A compound of two or more atoms.
- A solution of different molecules.
-
- Where are metals generally located on the periodic table?
- on the left side ✓
- on the right side
- in the centre ✓
-
- An ______ is formed when an atom gains or loses electrons.
- 'ion' ✓
- Which of the following is a property of most metals?
- brittle
- poor conductor of electricity
- malleable ✓
- low density
-
- What is the charge of an ion formed by losing two electrons?
- '+2' ✓
Exit quiz
- Which of the following metals is a transition metal?
- lead
- iron ✓
- potassium
- aluminium
-
- Which of the following is a characteristic of transition metals compared to Group 1 metals?
- Transition metals are less dense.
- Transition metals have lower melting points.
- Transition metals are generally stronger and harder. ✓
- Transition metals react more vigorously with water.
-
- Transition metals can form ions with different ______, which leads to compounds with varying properties and colours.
- 'charges' ✓
- What is the significance of transition metals forming ions with different charges?
- It makes them less reactive.
- It allows them to react with water vigorously.
- It leads to compounds with varying properties and colours. ✓
- It makes them poor catalysts.
-
- Which property is not typical of transition metals?
- high density
- high melting point
- reacts vigorously with water ✓
- acts as a catalyst
-
- Why are transition metals often used as catalysts?
- They are very unreactive with water.
- They can change the products of a reaction.
- They speed up chemical reactions without being consumed. ✓
-
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Transition metals are generally stronger, harder, more dense and have higher melting points than Group 1 metals.
- Transition metals react slowly with water or don’t react with it at all.
- Transition metals are often catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.
- Transition metals can form ions with different charges and their compounds often exhibit vibrant colours.
Common misconception
Students may think all metals react vigorously with water, and may believe all transition metals form only one type of ion, and might think that all metals are equally good catalysts.
Unlike Group 1 metals, transition metals react slowly with water or not at all. Transition metals can form ions with different charges, leading to compounds with varying properties and colours. Each reaction will be catalysed best by one catalyst.
Keywords
Transition metal - refers to a metal element placed in the block between Groups 2 and 3 in the periodic table.
Catalyst - a chemical that speeds up the rate of a reaction without itself being used up.
Ion - an atom or group of atoms with a positive or negative charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.
Density - calculated by dividing the mass of a substance by its volume; a measurement of how tightly packed a substance's particles are per unit volume.