Question 1

Lanthanides are very difficult to separate from each other because of the similarities in chemical properties.

Accepted Answer

Lanthanides have very similar electronic configurations and chemical properties, making their separation a challenging and intricate process.

Question 2

Pig iron comes from the blast furnace.

Accepted Answer

Pig iron is the crude iron obtained from the blast furnace.

Question 3

Choose the INCORRECT statement about the transition elements.
A) They have high melting points.
B) They are good electrical conductors.
C) They have moderate to extreme hardness.
D) They are d-block and f-block elements.
E) They generally have positive reduction potentials.

Accepted Answer

E

Question 4

Choose the INCORRECT statement about the first row transition elements. A) Elements on the right side of the transition series usually do not exhibit the wide range of oxidation states. B) Stability of higher oxidation states increases down a group. C) Electrode potentials decrease across to the right. D) All but Cu have negative reduction potentials. E) All but Cu displace H⁺(aq) as H₂(g).

Accepted Answer

Electrode potentials actually increase across to the right due to the increasing effective nuclear charge and decreasing atomic radius, which makes it more difficult for the atom to lose electrons and become oxidized.

Question 5

Iron, cobalt, and nickel form the iron triad.

Accepted Answer

Iron, cobalt, and nickel are all transition metals and are known as the iron triad due to their similar physical and chemical properties.

Question 6

Choose the INCORRECT statement about the transition elements.
A) The atomic radii increases to the right across the periodic table.
B) The first ionization energy is about the same as the Group 2 (IIA) elements.
C) The lanthanide contraction is responsible for the second and third series of transition elements being very similar in atomic radii.
D) The lanthanide contraction is due to the f electrons not screening as well as other electrons.
E) The electron configuration of cobalt and copper are anomalous.

Accepted Answer

The atomic radii generally decrease to the right across the periodic table, not increase, especially for the transition elements. This is due to the increased nuclear charge pulling in the electrons closer to the nucleus, outweighing the shielding effects of additional electron shells.

Question 7

A mercury alloy is called an amalgam.

Accepted Answer

This is true. An amalgam is a mixture of mercury with one or more other metals, typically silver, tin, and copper, used for dental fillings and other medical purposes.

Question 8

Which of the following is uncharacteristic for the elements of the first transition series?
A) an inner core of electrons in the argon configuration
B) two 4s electrons for eight elements, and one 4s electron for Cr and Cu
C) a number of 3d electrons ranging from one for Sc to ten for Cu and Zn
D) except for Sc and Ti, only minor variation in atomic radii
E) only one possible oxidation state per element, different for each

Accepted Answer

The statement that there is only one possible oxidation state per element in the first transition series is uncharacteristic. In fact, these elements can exhibit multiple oxidation states due to the presence of both 4s and 3d electrons, which can participate in chemical bonding.

Question 9

Lanthanides are also called rare earth elements.

Accepted Answer

Lanthanides are a group of elements that are commonly referred to as rare earth elements due to their similar chemical properties and abundance in the earth's crust.

Question 10

For the reaction 2Mg(s) + O₂(g) → 2MgO(s) a plot of ΔG° versus temperature has a negative slope.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For the reaction 2Mg(s) + O₂(g) → 2MgO(s) a...

Question 11

The lanthanide contraction is due to the poor shielding effect of the f-electrons and the higher nuclear charge.

Accepted Answer

The lanthanide contraction is a result of the poor shielding effect of the f-electrons and the higher nuclear charge, leading to a decrease in atomic and ionic radius across the lanthanide series.

Question 12

Choose the INCORRECT statement about transition elements.
A) Coordination compounds are formed by coordinate covalent bonds.
B) The metal ions provide empty d orbitals in coordination compounds.
C) The ligand supplies one or more pairs of electrons that form coordinate bonds in coordination compounds.
D) Colored compounds and solutions occur because of electronic transitions that occur within partially filled d orbitals.
E) Paramagnetism is due to paired electrons.

Accepted Answer

Paramagnetism is due to unpaired electrons, not paired electrons.

Question 13

Choose the INCORRECT statement about transition elements.
A) The lower oxidation states usually form ionic compounds.
B) The higher oxidation states usually form covalent compounds.
C) Many transition elements and their compounds have catalytic activity.
D) The catalytic activity is due to p-orbital availability.
E) Transition metal ions are good Lewis acids.

Accepted Answer

The catalytic activity of transition elements is not due to p-orbital availability, but rather due to their ability to change oxidation states and participate in redox reactions.

Question 14

Metallurgy is the general study of metals.

Accepted Answer

Metallurgy is indeed the general study of metals, including their extraction, purification, properties, and uses.

Question 15

The high melting points of transition elements result from a lack of sufficient electrons and orbitals for good metallic bonding.

Accepted Answer

The high melting points of transition elements result from the presence of extra electrons and orbitals for strong metallic bonding.

Question 16

Galvanized steel is iron coated with cadmium to prevent rust.

Accepted Answer

Galvanized steel is actually iron coated with zinc to prevent rust, not cadmium.

Question 17

Choose the INCORRECT statement about the most common oxidation state of transition elements.
A) For Ti, it is +4.
B) For Sc, it is +2.
C) For V, it is +5.
D) For Cr, it is +6.
E) For Mn, it is +7.

Accepted Answer

The most common oxidation state of Scandium (Sc) is +3, not +2.

Question 18

The atomic radius of Ru is approximately the same as that of Os.

Accepted Answer

Ruthenium (Ru) and Osmium (Os) are both transition metals from the same group of the periodic table (group 8), and they have similar electron configurations. As a result, their atomic radii are comparable. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 19

Titanium tetrachloride has replaced white lead as the pigment in white paints.

Accepted Answer

Titanium dioxide, not titanium tetrachloride, has replaced white lead as the pigment in white paints due to its superior covering power and non-toxic properties.

Question 20

The coinage metals are copper, silver, and zinc.

Accepted Answer

The coinage metals are copper, silver, and gold. Zinc is not considered a coinage metal.

Quiz 23: The Transition Elements