Periodic Table: Representative Elements & Transition Metals - Online Tutor, Practice Problems & Exam Prep

The periodic table organizes elements into periods (rows) and groups (columns). Transition metals, found in groups 3 to 12, exhibit varying charges, while representative elements, in groups 1, 2, and 13 to 18, are also known as main group elements. Transition metals are sometimes labeled as group B elements, with specific designations like 3B, 4B, and so on. Understanding these classifications is crucial for grasping the properties and behaviors of elements in chemical reactions, including oxidation states and coordination compounds.

Periodic Table: Representative Elements & Transition Metals

So at this point, we know that the elements in the periodic table can be organized into rows called periods and into columns called groups. Now within those groups, we can go a little bit further in our classification of these elements. We can classify them as either transition metals or representative elements. When we say transition metals, we are referring to elements found in groups 3 to 12. They're called transition metals because that name symbolizes their varying charges. For example, manganese (Mn) is a transition metal. Depending on what element it pairs with, it can have a positive charge ranging from +1 to +7. We don't have to worry about charges just yet, but realize that they're called transition metals because they have varying charges based on the elements near them. We also say that between Lanthanum (La) and Hafnium (Hf) we have this row of transition metals, and between Actinium (Ac) and Rutherfordium (Rf) we have another row of transition metals. They're still transition metals, but because they're found inside these different pairs, we call them the inner transition metals.

Besides that, we sometimes refer to the transition metals as Group B elements. What does that mean? Well, that means we can further classify or label the groups 3 to 12. So Group 3, we can now label as Group 3B if we want, 4 would be 4B, 5 would be 5B, 6B, and 7B. Here's the thing, Groups 8, 9, and 10 are all grouped together as Group 8B, and then Group 11 is 1B and Group 12 is 2B. It's a little bit weird that it goes in this order, but again, knowing why exactly goes beyond the scope of this course, so don't worry about it. What's important is that our transition metals are Group B elements. They're called transition metals because later on, we'll see that some of them have multiple charges. Representative elements, however, are the remaining elements not found in Groups 3 to 12. So we're talking about Group 12 and then Groups 13 to 18. They are sometimes referred to as our Group A elements or our main group elements. So if they're talking about Group A elements, main group elements, all that means is we're dealing with the representative elements. Group 1 can be classified as Group 1A, 2 would be 2A, Group 13 would be 3A, and it will go all the way up to 8A. So this is just another way of looking at a particular group of the periodic table and this would be 8B, 8A. Just remember when we talk about our groups we can further break it down into transition metals and representative elements. Our representative elements are sometimes referred to as our Group A elements or main group elements, and our transition metal elements are referred to as our Group B elements.

Periodic Table: Representative Elements & Transition Metals Example 1

So here in this example question, it says, which of the following is a transition metal in the 5th period with similar chemical properties to copper, which is represented by the element symbols Cu. Alright. So they're telling us that it's a transition metal, so it has to be one of the elements shaded in red, then they tell us that it's in the 5th period. Remember, the 5th period means that it's in the 5th row of the periodic table, and then remember, you have similar chemical properties if you're in the same group. So we have to come up here. Here goes copper Cu. Our element that we're looking for is in the 5th row and it has to be a transition metal, so it has to be shaded in red, and most importantly, it has to be in the same column or group as copper. So, following all that, we'd see that silver, which is Ag, would be our correct answer. So coming back down here that would mean that option C would be our correct choice. So just remember the difference between our transition metals and representative elements when we're talking about periods, that's just the rows of the periodic table, and if you're in the same group you're going to have similar chemical properties.

Which of the following is a representative element, found in the 3rd Period, that is also a pnictogen.

• A. Na
• B. P
• C. Ar
• D. Mg
• E. S

State the element symbol found in the 6th Period and Group 7A.

• A. Rb
• B. W
• C. Br
• D. Kr
• E. At

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What are the main differences between transition metals and representative elements?

Transition metals are found in groups 3 to 12 of the periodic table and are characterized by their ability to exhibit multiple oxidation states. This is due to the involvement of their d-orbitals in bonding. Representative elements, also known as main group elements, are found in groups 1, 2, and 13 to 18. They typically have fixed oxidation states and their chemical properties are more predictable. Transition metals are often referred to as group B elements, while representative elements are called group A elements. Understanding these differences is crucial for predicting the behavior of these elements in chemical reactions.

Why are transition metals called group B elements?

Transition metals are called group B elements because of their placement in the periodic table. They occupy groups 3 to 12, which are traditionally labeled as group B. This classification helps distinguish them from the representative elements, which are labeled as group A elements. The group B designation also highlights the unique properties of transition metals, such as their ability to exhibit multiple oxidation states and form complex ions. This nomenclature is useful for understanding the chemical behavior and reactivity of these elements.

What are inner transition metals and where are they located on the periodic table?

Inner transition metals are a subset of transition metals that include the lanthanides and actinides. They are located in two separate rows at the bottom of the periodic table, specifically between lanthanum (La) and hafnium (Hf) for the lanthanides, and between actinium (Ac) and rutherfordium (Rf) for the actinides. These elements are characterized by the filling of their f-orbitals and exhibit unique properties such as high atomic and ionic sizes. Inner transition metals are important in various applications, including electronics and nuclear energy.

How are the groups in the periodic table labeled for transition metals and representative elements?

In the periodic table, groups for transition metals and representative elements are labeled differently. Transition metals, found in groups 3 to 12, are labeled as group B elements. For example, group 3 is labeled as 3B, group 4 as 4B, and so on. Groups 8, 9, and 10 are collectively labeled as 8B, while groups 11 and 12 are labeled as 1B and 2B, respectively. Representative elements, found in groups 1, 2, and 13 to 18, are labeled as group A elements. For instance, group 1 is labeled as 1A, group 2 as 2A, and group 13 as 3A, continuing up to group 18 as 8A. This labeling helps in identifying and categorizing the elements based on their properties.

What are the oxidation states of transition metals and why do they vary?

Transition metals exhibit multiple oxidation states due to the involvement of their d-orbitals in bonding. For example, manganese (Mn) can have oxidation states ranging from +1 to +7. This variability occurs because transition metals can lose different numbers of d-electrons in addition to their s-electrons. The ability to exhibit multiple oxidation states allows transition metals to form a variety of compounds and participate in diverse chemical reactions. This property is crucial for their roles in catalysis, coordination chemistry, and industrial processes.