Transition metals Quiz

1. Where are the transition metals located on the periodic table?

a) Left-hand side
b) Middle block
c) Right-hand side
d) The bottom 3 rows

2. Compared to the alkali metals transition metals are generally:

a) Softer and more reactive
b) Harder and less reactive
c) Less dense with lower melting points
d) More reactive and less dense

3. Which of the following is not typical of transition metals?

a) High melting points
b) Good conductors of heat and electricity
c) Low density
d) Malleable and ductile

4. What is the main difference between transition metals and group 1, 2 and 3 metals in terms of ion formation?

a) Transition metals form negatively charged ions
b) Transition metals have fixed valencies
c) Transition metals have variable valencies
d) Group 1, 2 and 3 metals form coloured ions

5. Which property of transition metal compounds in one of their most distinctive properties?

a) They are often brightly coloured
b) They are mostly colourless
c) They are mostly volatile liquids
d) They are mostly gases

6. Which transition metal is a liquid at room temperature?

a) Tungsten
b) Mercury
c) Copper
d) Titanium

7. What is one of the main uses of the transition metal platinum?

a) A structural material in the building and construction industries
b) As a food preservative
c) As a cleaning agent
d) As a catalyst

8. Which transition metal is used as a catalyst in the Haber process for making ammonia?

a) Iron
b) Nickel
c) Gold
d) Titanium

9. Which transition metal is used as a catalyst in the hydrogenation of vegetable oils?

a) Iron
b) Scandium
c) Titanium
d) Nickel

10. Many transition metals are malleable; what does this mean?

a) They have delocalised electrons
b) They can be hammered and beaten into various shapes without breaking
c) They are good conductors of heat and electricity
d) They have high melting points

11. Many transition metals are ductile, this means:

a) They can be hammered in various shapes without breaking
b) They have low densities
c) They have various valencies
d) They can be drawn out into a wire

12. What is one of the main uses of copper metal?

a) In electrical wires and cables
b) As a food preservative
c) As a dye used to glaze pottery
d) Used to colour paints

13. What property of transition metals makes them useful as catalysts?

a) High melting points
b) Magnetic properties
c) Ability to form coloured compounds
d) Variable valencies

14. Which of the following is a key characteristic of transition metal ions?

a) They always form white precipitates
b) They often produce coloured solutions
c) They only form negative ions
d) They have very low chemical reactivity

15. The high tensile strength of steel, which contains the transition metal iron means:

a) It can be easily shaped
b) It conducts heat and electricity
c) It can support a heavy load before breaking
d) It melts at a high temperature