1.Transition metals have higher density than alkaline earth metals? 2.Transition metals are less electropositive

Question

Explain why

1. Transition metals have higher density than alkaline earth metals?

2. Transition metals are less electropositive than alkaline earth metals?

3. Transition elements exhibit higher enthalpies of atomisation?

Answer 1

1.Transition metals have smaller atomic size and stronger interparticle attractive forces (metallic bond) than alkaline earth metals and hence have higher density than alkaline earth metals.

2. Transition metals due to their smaller atomic size and greater effective nuclear charge, have higher ionisation energy than alkaline earth metals and hence are less electropositive.

3. Transition elements have very strong interatomic bonds due to their small size and also due to the presence of large number of unpaired electrons in their atoms. As a result, they have very high enthalpies of atomisation.