Transition elements: properties and uses

1. The transition elements are the block of 30 elements in the middle of the Periodic Table

2. Physical properties

   • hard, tough and strong.
   • high melting points.
   • malleable and ductile
   • good conductors of heat and electricity
   • high density

3. chemical properties

   • They are much less reactive than the Group I metals.
   • They show no clear trend in reactivity, unlike the Group I metals.
   • Most transition elements form coloured compounds
   • Most can form ions with different charges
   • They can form more than one compound with another element.
   • Most transition elements can form complex ions

4. Uses

   • making alloys
     • ex: chromium and nickel are mixed with iron to make stainless steel.
   • used as conductors of heat and electricity
     • ex: steel is used for radiators, and copper for electric wiring.
   • catalysts
     • iron is used as a catalyst in making ammonia

5. Reactivity

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