AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to describe the difference compared with Group 1…
Full specification wording
Comparison with Group 1 elements: Students should be able to describe the difference compared with Group 1 in melting points, densities, strength, hardness and reactivity with oxygen, water and halogens.
Transition metals such as iron and copper have high melting points, high densities, and are strong and hard.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Transition metals such as iron and copper have high melting points, high densities, and are strong and hard. Group 1 metals such as sodium and potassium have low melting points, low densities, and are soft enough to cut with a knife. Reactivity also differs: Group 1 metals react rapidly with oxygen, water and halogens, whereas transition metals react much more slowly or only when heated. For example, sodium tarnishes in air and reacts vigorously with water, while iron rusts slowly and copper reacts only on heating. When describing differences, name the property, state the trend for each group, and support it with a named example to make the comparison precise.
What earns the marks
- Transition metals have higher melting points than Group 1 metals, which are low melting.
- Transition metals have higher densities than Group 1 metals, which are low density and float on water.
- Transition metals are stronger and harder than Group 1 metals, which are soft and easily cut.
- Group 1 metals react vigorously with oxygen, water and halogens, while transition metals react slowly or require heating.
- Named examples can support each comparison, such as sodium reacting vigorously with water and iron rusting slowly.
- The differences arise because transition metals have stronger metallic bonding and more delocalised electrons than Group 1 metals.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying transition metals are more reactive than Group 1 metals.
Put it right by stating that Group 1 metals are more reactive with oxygen, water and halogens.
Giving a general statement without naming the property.
Put it right by specifying melting point, density, strength, hardness or reactivity.
Confusing hardness with strength.
Put it right by describing hardness as resistance to scratching and strength as resistance to breaking or deformation.
Exam tips
- Structure comparison answers property by property, giving the transition metal trend first and the Group 1 trend second.
- Include at least one named element from each group to make the comparison concrete.
- Use comparative language such as higher, lower, more reactive and less reactive rather than absolute statements.
Try the lesson
The start of the Comparison with Group 1 elements: Students should be able to describe the difference compared with Group 1 in melting points, densities, strength, hardness and reactivity with oxygen, water and halogens. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How does the melting point of a typical transition element, such as iron, compare with that of a Group 1 element, such as sodium?
Listen
Transition metals such as iron and copper have high melting points, high densities, and are strong and hard. Group 1 metals such as sodium and potassium have low melting points, low densities, and are soft enough to cut with a knife. Reactivity also differs: Group 1 metals react rapidly with oxygen, water and halogens, whereas transition metals react much more slowly or only when heated. For example, sodium tarnishes in air and reacts vigorously with water, while iron rusts slowly and copper reacts only on heating. When describing differences, name the property, state the trend for each group, and support it with a named example to make the comparison precise. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Transition metals have higher melting points than Group 1 metals, which are low melting. Transition metals have higher densities than Group 1 metals, which are low density and float on water. Transition metals are stronger and harder than Group 1 metals, which are soft and easily cut. Group 1 metals react vigorously with oxygen, water and halogens, while transition metals react slowly or require heating. A common slip: Saying transition metals are more reactive than Group 1 metals. Instead, stating that Group 1 metals are more reactive with oxygen, water and halogens. Exam tip: Structure comparison answers property by property, giving the transition metal trend first and the Group 1 trend second.
See it
Key words
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Metallic bonding and structure
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Reactivity with oxygen, water and halogens
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Using named examples to support comparisons
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Periodic trends and group properties
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See every definition
- Metallic bonding and structure
- Transition metals have stronger metallic bonding and more delocalised electrons than Group 1 metals, which is why the differences between the groups arise.
- Reactivity with oxygen, water and halogens
- Group 1 metals react vigorously with oxygen, water and halogens, while transition metals react slowly or require heating.
- Using named examples to support comparisons
- Naming the property, stating the trend for each group and supporting it with a named example makes the comparison precise.
- Periodic trends and group properties
- Transition metals have high melting points, high densities and are strong and hard, whereas Group 1 metals have low melting points, low densities and are soft enough to cut with a knife.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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