Question
Question: Silver, gold, platinum, iron, copper and titanium are part of the: (A) Minerals (B) Transition e...
Silver, gold, platinum, iron, copper and titanium are part of the:
(A) Minerals
(B) Transition element
(C) Salts
(D) All of these
Solution
All the elements given are elements which have partially filled d orbitals (also known as transition metals). These elements with a d subshell that is partially filled with electrons, or an element with an incompletely filled d orbital that has the ability to form stable cations.
Complete Step-by-Step Solution
In general, a transition element is considered to be any element which corresponds to the d-block of the modern periodic table (which consists of groups 3−12 ). As transition metals, even the f-block elements comprising the lanthanides and the actinides can be considered.
However, although the f-block elements have f-orbitals filled incompletely, they are quite often referred to as inner transition elements or inner transition metals.
However, although the f-block elements have f-orbitals filled incompletely, they are quite often referred to as inner transition elements or inner transition metals.
Silver, gold, platinum, iron, copper and titanium are part of the d-block of the periodic table. Hence, they are transition elements.
The correct option is (B).
Additional Information
In the construction industry, iron, a transition metal, is widely used. It is generally alloyed into steel, which has higher strength and versatility for tensile strength. Iron is also used, via the Haber process, as a catalyst for the industrial production of ammonia. Another transition metal, titanium, is used in aircraft, nuclear power plant pipes, and artificial hip replacements.
In the production of stainless steel, the primary application of the transition element nickel is. Due to its high tensile strength, malleability, ductility, and electrical conductivity, copper, a transition metal, is widely used in electrical wiring.
Note
It is important to note that, because of their electronic configurations, the mercury, cadmium, and zinc elements are not considered transition elements which corresponds to (n−1)d10 ns2 .
In their ground states and even in some of their oxidation states, these elements have fully filled d orbitals. The +2 mercury oxidation state is one such example, which corresponds to the electronic configuration of (n−1)d10 .