Colourful compounds
Many transition metals have ions which have strong characteristic colours. For example: copper and iron. The metal copper, and iron (rust) have orange like colours. Copper ions are often blue.
Blood is red, emeralds are green and the Statue of Liberty is ...?
For emeralds, the colour is due to the presence of chromium. For the statue of liberty, the colour is due to the presence of copper reacting with the air molecules. For blood, the colour is due to the presence of iron in the haemoglobin in the red blood cells.
To use this simulation, drag the mouse around to rotate the molecule, and use the scroll wheel to zoom in or out. The iron ions in the haemoglobin are located in the middle of the heme groups. These iron ions are what give heamoglobin, red blood cells, and blood its red colour.
Melting metals
All of the alkali metals appear to have a lower melting point than all of the transition metals ** we have looked at so far. On average, from the data given, then transition metals have an average melting point of 2152oC, And the alkali metals have an average melting point of 72oC.
** except mercury which melts at -41oC
Heavy Metals?
when you have finished reading this post, you can try out this quiz.
The transition metals are more dense than alkali metals. Osmium has the highest density of all the elements
Relative reactivity
Don't try this at home!
What does this reaction tell you about the relative reactivity of copper and aluminium.
What does the video of the reaction tell you about the energy change involved?
aluminum is more reactive than copper, therefore gives away its electrons. Copper ions are turned into copper atoms, and the aluminum atoms are turned into ions.
lead trees, furry worms, and silver ferns
Envisioning Chemistry: Metal Displacement II from Beauty of Science on Vimeo.
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