Lead trees
Lead trees were made when Zinc reacts with lead ions in solution. Lead is reduced by the zinc, and zinc is oxidised
The Transition Metals
Colourful compounds
All these solutions contain transition metal 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
The alkali metals melting points decrease descending down the group.
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
as you can see, the densities of alkali metals are usually quite low. So, lithium, sodium and potassium will all float in water! Before exploding, that is.
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.
The Reactivity Series
Rust forms on iron and steel as a result of a redox reaction between iron and oxygen. 2.15 - 2.20 Loss and gain Oxidation and reduction reactions are very commonplace. When a element combines with oxygen that element is said to ha...
lead trees, furry worms, and silver ferns
Enter your text here ...
Silver ferns
here, silver is displaced by copper, and silver is reduced, copper is oxidised. Fern like crystals of silver are produced.
Enter your text here ...
Stay Informed
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.