Question

What are transition elements? Why are they so called? Name the different transition series.

Answer 1

Hint :In order to answer this question, you must be aware of the periodic table. The periodic table, also known as the periodic table of elements, is a tabular display of the elements, which are arranged by atomic number, electronic configuration, and recurring chemical properties. The structure of the table shows periodic trends.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Transition elements are the d-block elements that are members of the group 3-12. In the periodic table, d-block elements are located between s-block and p-block elements.
These d-block elements are known as transition elements because they show transitional behaviour between s and p block elements. They are called d block elements because the electrons being added in this block of elements are being added to the d orbitals.
Their properties are intermediate between highly reactive metallic elements of the s-block, which are typically ionic compounds, and largely covalent elements of the p-block.
The first main transition series starts with Scandium (symbol Sc, atomic number 21) or Titanium (symbol Ti, atomic number 22) and ends with Zinc (symbol Zn, atomic number 30).
The elements Yttrium (symbol Y, atomic number 39) to cadmium make up the second transition series (symbol Cd, atomic number 48).
The third group includes lanthanum (symbol La, atomic number 57) to Mercury (symbol Hg, atomic number 80). The d-block transition metals are a group of 30 elements that includes these three main transition series.

Note :
The d-block elements are all metals and most have one or more chemically active d-orbital electrons. Because there is a relatively small difference in the energy of the different d-orbital electrons, the number of electrons participating in chemical bonding can vary. The d-block elements have a tendency to exhibit two or more oxidation states, differing by multiples of one.