Transition Metals: Period 4

The first row of transition metals spans from scandium (Sc) to zinc (Zn) in period 4. These ten elements are among the most familiar and industrially important in the entire periodic table. They are characterised by partially filled d-orbitals, which give rise to their distinctive properties.

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Defining Characteristics of Transition Metals

Transition metals share several key properties that distinguish them from the s-block metals:

• Multiple oxidation states — they can form ions with different charges (e.g. Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺)
• Coloured compounds — due to d-d electron transitions when light is absorbed
• Catalytic activity — many serve as catalysts in industrial and biological processes
• High melting and boiling points — strong metallic bonding due to d-electron involvement
• High density — closely packed atomic structures
• Formation of complex ions — they bond with ligands to form coordination compounds
• Magnetic properties — many are paramagnetic due to unpaired d-electrons

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Period 4 Transition Metals