Question

Predict two physical properties of rubidium that are different from those of a transition elements such as iron.

Answer 1

Answer:

The transition metals have the following physical properties in common:

• they are good conductors of heat and electricity.
• they can be hammered or bent into shape easily.
• they have high melting points (but mercury is a liquid at room temperature)
• they are usually hard and tough.
• they have high densities.

Answer 2

Explanation:

the transition elements share some physical properties with all metals:

they conduct electricity in the solid and liquid states

they are shiny when freshly cut

Some properties of transition elements are different from those of the metals in group 1. Compared to other metals, most transition metals have:

higher melting points

higher densities

greater strength

greater hardness

Remember that these are typical properties – some transition metals may not show one or more of them. For example, mercury melts at just -39°C, so it is a liquid at room temperature.