Video Transcript
Which of the following do
transition metals not exhibit? (A) They conduct heat and
electricity. (B) They have high melting
points. (C) They undergo irreversible
oxidation. (D) They are malleable and
ductile. Or (E) they are lustrous.
Let’s go through each answer choice
to determine which one is not a property of transition metals.
Let’s start with (A), which states
that they conduct heat and electricity. We know that this is a property of
transition metals because we use a number of transition metals every day to do just
that. For example, copper wires bring
electricity into our homes. And they are hot to the touch when
heat or a high electric load is applied to them. So answer (A) cannot be
correct.
Statement (B) also describes
transition metals correctly because high melting points of these metals are
intrinsic properties of the elements. For example, copper, nickel, and
titanium all have melting points above 1000 degrees Celsius. So (B) cannot be the correct answer
either.
Statement (D) is an accurate and
important property of transition metals. Transition metals are malleable
materials that that can be hammered and pressed into shape without breaking or
cracking. Scientists also describe metals as
ductile because they readily form thin wires without snapping.
Statement (E) also correctly
describes transition metal elements. Lustrous materials tend to reflect
light evenly without sparkling. You can see these properties are
common in metals like iron and gold. And so answer (E) cannot be the
correct answer.
This leaves us with answer choice
(C). Transition metals are relatively
easy to oxidize and most even have several possible oxidation states. It is possible for many metals to
convert between these states through redox reactions. At this point, we can answer the
question. Which of the following do
transition metals not exhibit? And the correct answer is (C): they
undergo irreversible oxidation.