Uses of transition metals

have a wide range of uses. Their properties are very similar but not identical. It is important to choose the right transition metal for the required purpose.

Gold

Use	Reason
Jewellery	Does not react with air or water at room temperature Can be bent and hammered into shape (malleable)
Electrical connectors	Good conductor of electricity.

Use	Jewellery
Reason	Does not react with air or water at room temperature Can be bent and hammered into shape (malleable)

Use	Electrical connectors
Reason	Good conductor of electricity.

Silver

Use	Reason
Jewellery	Does not react with air or water at room temperature
Printed circuit boards and electrical contacts	Good conductor of electricity

Use	Jewellery
Reason	Does not react with air or water at room temperature

Use	Printed circuit boards and electrical contacts
Reason	Good conductor of electricity

Copper

Use	Reason
Electrical wires	Good conductor of electricity Can be shaped into wires (ductile)
Printed circuit boards	Good conductor of electricity
Water pipes	Does not react with water at room temperature Can be hammered or bent into shape

Use	Electrical wires
Reason	Good conductor of electricity Can be shaped into wires (ductile)

Use	Printed circuit boards
Reason	Good conductor of electricity

Use	Water pipes
Reason	Does not react with water at room temperature Can be hammered or bent into shape

Iron

Iron is usually too soft to be used as the metal alone. It is usually mixed with small amounts of other elements to make steels, which are harder and stronger than iron, but easily shaped. However, iron and steel react slowly with water and air to produce rust. They must be protected with, for example, a layer of paint.

Use	Reason
Building material, eg bridges, buildings, ships and cars	Strong, sheets are easily shaped, and cheap compared to most other metals.
Catalyst in the chemical industry, eg in the Haber process (the production of ammonia)	Increases the rate of certain reactions but can be recovered, unchanged, at the end.

Use	Building material, eg bridges, buildings, ships and cars
Reason	Strong, sheets are easily shaped, and cheap compared to most other metals.

Use	Catalyst in the chemical industry, eg in the Haber process (the production of ammonia)
Reason	Increases the rate of certain reactions but can be recovered, unchanged, at the end.

Chromium

Use	Reason
To coat other metals (such as iron) on cars and bicycles	Stays shiny when polished, and resistant to corrosion.
Catalyst in the chemical industry	Increases the rate of certain reactions but can be recovered, unchanged, at the end.

Use	To coat other metals (such as iron) on cars and bicycles
Reason	Stays shiny when polished, and resistant to corrosion.

Use	Catalyst in the chemical industry
Reason	Increases the rate of certain reactions but can be recovered, unchanged, at the end.

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Properties of transition metalsUses of transition metals