Question

What are transition elements? Give the names of the metals of the first transition series.  

Answer 1

Transition Metals

The elements belonging to d-block are metals. The d-block elements are classified into four transition series. These 4 series corresponds the filling of 3d, 4d, 5d and 6d orbitals. 

 The series of elements, that are formed by filling the 3d, 4d and 5d shells of electrons, comprise the d-block elements. They are often called as transition elements because their position in the periodic table is between s-block and p-block elements. Their properties are transitional between the highly reactive metallic elements of the s-block, which form ionic compounds and elements of p-block which form covalent compounds. In s and p blocks electrons add to the last shell, in d-block electrons are added to the penultimate shell. Typically the transition elements have an incompletely filled d level. The zinc group has d¹⁰ configuration and compounds of these elements show some differences from other transition elements. The elements make up three complete rows of ten elements and an incomplete fourth row. The position of the incomplete fourth series is discussed along with the f-block elements.

First transition series

This is also called as 3d series which corresponds the filling of 3d orbital. It starts from scandium whose atomic number is 21 and includes 10 elements till zinc whose atomic number is 30. 

First transition series (or) 3d series

Element	Atomic number	Symbol	Electronic configuration
Scandium	21	Sc	[Ar] 3d1 4s2
Titanium	22	Ti	[Ar] 3d2 4s2
Vanadium	23	V	[Ar] 3d3 4s2
Chromium	24	Cr	[Ar] 3d5 4s1
Manganese	25	Mn	[Ar] 3d5 4s2

Element	Atomic number	Symbol	Electronic configuration
Iron	26	Fe	[Ar] 3d6 4s2
Cobalt	27	Co	[Ar] 3d7 4s2
Nickel	28	Ni	[Ar] 3d8 4s2
Copper	29	Cu	[Ar] 3d10 4s1
Zinc	30	Zn	[Ar] 3d10 4s2