Transition Metals
Transition metals are groups 3 through 12 (not including Lanthanides and Actinides). These metals are used in industry mostly as they are typically hard solids with high melting points (with the exception of mercury). Transition elements often form ions that have color. The inner transition elements have multiple oxidation states and have a valence electron of either 1 or 2. The outer transition elements are known as Lanthanides (#57-71) and Actinides (#89-103). They are also called the rare earth elements.
List of Transition Metals
elements #21-30: Scandium(Sc), Titanium(Ti), Vanadium(V), Chromium(Cr), Manganese(Mn), Iron(Fe), Cobalt(Co), Nickel(Ni), Copper(Cu), and Zinc(Zn).
elements #39-48: Yttrium(Y), Zirconium(Zr), Niobium(Nb), Molybdenum(Mo), Technetium(Tc), Ruthenium(Ru), Rhodium(Rh), Palladium(Pd), Silver(Ag), and Cadmium(Cd).
elements #72-80: Hafnium(Hf), Tantalum(Ta), Tungsten(W), Rhenium(Re), Osmium(Os), Iridium(Ir), Platinum(Pt), Gold(Au), and Mercury(Hg).
Information on some of the Inner Transition Metals
Iron(Fe) is element #26 and is directly involved in the Iron Age. It rusts, but overall it can take on different shapes and forms, unlike other metals. It can be found in enzymes such as hemoglobin and in the blue blood of spiders.
Copper(Cu) is element #29 and is soft and antimicrobial. It is used in hospitals and can be shaped by tools. Combined with zinc or tin, this element makes brass or bronze. Copper has a whole period of time dedicated to a form of it, the Bronze Age. Also the famous Statue of Liberty, located in New York, is made out of copper!
Zinc(Zn) is element #30 and is commonly used in pennies. Pennies are supposedly made with copper, but only as the shiny covering. And inside it, is a zinc core. Zinc is a cheap element and does not get a whole lot of respect.
Silver(Ag) is element #47 and is cheaper than gold. It is the best conductor of electricity and most reflective. Silver is used in mirrors, coins and bandages (laced with silver).
Tungsten(W) is element #74 and is also called Wolfram. It comes from the Swedish word for heavy metal. It has been used in lightbulbs, rings, and even in ear weights for dogs, to make their ears drop more.
Gold(Au) is element #79 and is a good conductor of electricity. It has been used in jewelry due to its beauty. In the 1840s in the United States, there was a rush for gold on the west coast, especially in California.
Mercury(Hg) is element #80 and is the only liquid metal at room temperature. It is yet another poison, the kind that slowly kills by attacking the central nervous system. This drives the person to madness. But it can be found in dental mercury, mercury thermometers, and in fatty tuna.
Iron(Fe) is element #26 and is directly involved in the Iron Age. It rusts, but overall it can take on different shapes and forms, unlike other metals. It can be found in enzymes such as hemoglobin and in the blue blood of spiders.
Copper(Cu) is element #29 and is soft and antimicrobial. It is used in hospitals and can be shaped by tools. Combined with zinc or tin, this element makes brass or bronze. Copper has a whole period of time dedicated to a form of it, the Bronze Age. Also the famous Statue of Liberty, located in New York, is made out of copper!
Zinc(Zn) is element #30 and is commonly used in pennies. Pennies are supposedly made with copper, but only as the shiny covering. And inside it, is a zinc core. Zinc is a cheap element and does not get a whole lot of respect.
Silver(Ag) is element #47 and is cheaper than gold. It is the best conductor of electricity and most reflective. Silver is used in mirrors, coins and bandages (laced with silver).
Tungsten(W) is element #74 and is also called Wolfram. It comes from the Swedish word for heavy metal. It has been used in lightbulbs, rings, and even in ear weights for dogs, to make their ears drop more.
Gold(Au) is element #79 and is a good conductor of electricity. It has been used in jewelry due to its beauty. In the 1840s in the United States, there was a rush for gold on the west coast, especially in California.
Mercury(Hg) is element #80 and is the only liquid metal at room temperature. It is yet another poison, the kind that slowly kills by attacking the central nervous system. This drives the person to madness. But it can be found in dental mercury, mercury thermometers, and in fatty tuna.
Zinc - Periodic Table of Videos
List of Lanthanides
elements #57-71: Lanthanum(La), Cerium(Ce), Praseodymium(Pr), Neodymium(Nd), Promethium(Pm), Samarium(Sm), Europium(Eu), Gadolinium(Gd),Terbium(Tb), Dysprosium(Dy),Holmium(Ho), Erbium(Er), Thulium(Tm), Ytterbium(Yb), & Lutetium(Lu).
List of Actinides
elements #89-103: Actinium(Ac), Thorium(Th), Protactinium(Pa), Uranium(U), Neptunium(Np), Plutonium(Pu), Americium(Am), Curium(Cm), Berkelium(Bk), Californium(Cf), Einsteinium(Es), Fermium(Fm), Mendelevium(Md), Nobelium(No), & Lawrencium(Lr).
Information on some Lanthanides and Actinides
Europium(Eu) is element #63 and is a Lanthanide. It was named after the continent of Europe. It has been used in compact fluorescent bulbs and in CRT televisions.
Uranium(U) is element #92 and was the main element in the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was a top secretive American development during World War II. It was the atomic bomb. The element has also been used in Fiestaware plates and bowls prior to the 1940s. Uranium is the last natural occurring element on the Table.
Americium(Am) is element #95 and is named after the country, USA, but only after the A, America. A small amount of it is useful in helping save many lives from fires. Americium is used in fire alarms. Actually used as a button inside the alarms that save humans. And it is radioactive.
Europium(Eu) is element #63 and is a Lanthanide. It was named after the continent of Europe. It has been used in compact fluorescent bulbs and in CRT televisions.
Uranium(U) is element #92 and was the main element in the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was a top secretive American development during World War II. It was the atomic bomb. The element has also been used in Fiestaware plates and bowls prior to the 1940s. Uranium is the last natural occurring element on the Table.
Americium(Am) is element #95 and is named after the country, USA, but only after the A, America. A small amount of it is useful in helping save many lives from fires. Americium is used in fire alarms. Actually used as a button inside the alarms that save humans. And it is radioactive.