A LevelChemistryCIETopic Questions28. Chemistry of Transition Elements28.1 General Physical & Chemical Properties of the First Row of Transition Elements, Titanium to Copper

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First exams 2025

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General Physical & Chemical Properties of the First Row of Transition Elements, Titanium to Copper (CIE A Level Chemistry)

Topic Questions

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1a1 mark

This question is about transition metals. 

Explain what is meant by a transition metal. 

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1b2 marks
i)
State the electronic configuration of Ti2+.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Explain, using the electronic configuration, why zinc is found in the d-block of the periodic table but not classed as a transition metal.
 
[1]

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1c3 marks

Table 1.1 shows sketches of the shapes of some atomic orbitals.

 
Table 1.1 
 
Shape of orbital dxy-orbital s-orbital pz-orbital
Type of orbital    

  
 

Identify the type of orbital, s, p, or d.

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1d2 marks

Transition metals have characteristic properties. One of these properties is that they form coloured ions.

State two other properties that transition metals or their ions exhibit.

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1a6 marks

Copper, vanadium and iron are all transition elements.

i)
Give the full electronic configuration of a Cu atom and a Cu2+ ion.
 
[2]
 
ii)
State four characteristic features of the chemistry of copper and its compounds.
 
[4]

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1b5 marks

The chloride ion is a monodentate ligand. When concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to [Cu(H2O)6]2+ (aq) ions the water ligands are replaced.
 

i)
Define the term monodentate ligand.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Write an equation for the reaction that occurs when concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to [Cu(H2O)6]2+ (aq).
 
[1]
 
iii)
Draw the structure of the complex ion formed and name the shape it takes.
 
[2]
 
iv)
State the change in coordination number. 
 
[1]

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1c3 marks

Vanadium (V) oxide is the catalyst used in the contact process as shown by the reactions:

SO2 + V2O5 → SO3 + V2O4

V2O4 + ½O2 → V2O5

i)
Using the equations, write an overall equation for the reaction.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Using the equations, explain why V2O5 is a catalyst.
 
[1]
 
iii)
Explain why V2O5 is able to act as a catalyst in this reaction.
 
[1]

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1d3 marks

When iron(II) compounds dissolve in water they form [Fe(H2O)6]2+, the hexaaquairon(II) complex.

i)
State the full electronic configuration of an iron(II) ion.
 
[1]
 
ii)
Predict the shape and bond angle of the hexaaquairon(II) complex.
 
[2]

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2a2 marks

Explain why transition metals exhibit variable oxidation numbers compared to the elements in Group 1.

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2b3 marks

Transition metal compounds and ions are often coloured. For example, [Cr(H2O)6]3+ is green. 

Complete Table 2.1 below to show the oxidation numbers of the transition element.

Table 2.1

ion

[Cr(H2O)6]3+

[Co(NH3)6]2+

[Cr(OH)6]3-

Mn2O3

oxidation number

 

 

 

 

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2c3 marks

Water acts as a ligand when it reacts with zinc and cobalt ions, forming the complexes [Zn(H2O)6]2+ and [Co(H2O)6]2+ .

i)
Write the full electronic configuration for the metal ions in the following complexes.


   [Zn(H2O)6]2+ : ..................................................................................................


   [Co(H2O)6]2+ : ...................................................................................................

[2]

ii)
Explain why zinc is not classed as a transition element
[1]

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3a3 marks

Complete Table 3.1 below to show the oxidation numbers of the transition element.

Table 3.1

Ion

[Cu(Cl4)]2-

[Fe(H2O)6]3+

Cr2O72-

Oxidation state

 

 

 

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3b3 marks

EUK-134 is a complex ion of manganese(III) used in skin care products to protect against UV damage as it has antioxidant properties.

q2c_13-1_medium_ib_hl_sq

i)
State the electron configuration of the manganese(III) ion in the complex shown above.
[1]
ii)
State the name given to species that bond to a central metal ion, and identify the type of bond present.
[2]

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3c2 marks

Transition metals have certain characteristic properties.

State two properties that are involved in EUK-134 rapidly decreasing the concentration of oxidising agents. 

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