The periodic table - (CCEA) Transition metals

The periodic table helps to categorise the known elements and make predictions about ones that we haven’t yet discovered.

Part ofCombined ScienceStructures, trends, chemical reactions, quantitative chemistry and analysis

Transition metals

Transition metals

The are in the block in the middle of the periodic table, between Groups 2 and 3. They are all metals and include many common metals such as chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu).

Transition metals form ions with different charges. An iron(II) ion has a 2+ charge, and an iron(III) ion has a 3+ charge.

They form coloured compounds:

Transition metal compoundcopper(II) oxidecopper(II) carbonatehydrated copper(II) sulfateany copper(II) salt in solution
Colourblack solidgreen solidblue crystalsblue solution
Transition metal compoundColour
copper(II) oxideblack solid
copper(II) carbonategreen solid
hydrated copper(II) sulfateblue crystals
any copper(II) salt in solutionblue solution