AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should be able to exemplify these general properties by reference…
Full specification wording
Typical properties: Students should be able to exemplify these general properties by reference to compounds of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu.
Transition metals show general properties such as forming ions with different charges, forming coloured compounds, and acting as catalysts.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Transition metals show general properties such as forming ions with different charges, forming coloured compounds, and acting as catalysts. To exemplify these, you must recall specific compounds of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. For example, chromium forms orange potassium dichromate(VI), K₂Cr₂O₇. Iron forms ions with different charges: iron(II) sulfate, FeSO₄, is pale green, while iron(III) chloride, FeCl₃, is yellow-brown. Manganese(IV) oxide, MnO₂, catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Cobalt(II) chloride, CoCl₂, is pink in aqueous solution. Nickel(II) sulfate, NiSO₄, forms green solutions. Hydrated copper(II) sulfate, CuSO₄·5H₂O, is blue. You must link each compound to a specific property, such as colour or catalytic activity.
What earns the marks
- Names a compound of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni or Cu and correctly links it to a general transition-metal property such as colour, forming ions with different charges, or catalysis.
- Gives the correct formula or name for the chosen compound, for example K₂Cr₂O₇, MnO₂, FeSO₄, CoCl₂, NiSO₄ or hydrated CuSO₄.
- States the charge of the transition metal ion where the property depends on it, for example Fe in FeSO₄ is 2⁺ and Fe in FeCl₃ is 3⁺.
- Describes the observed property accurately, for example 'orange solution' or 'catalyses decomposition of H₂O₂'.
- Uses compounds of all six listed transition metals across examples to show the properties are general.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Naming a compound but not linking it to a property.
Put it right: State the property, for example 'hydrated CuSO₄ is blue because transition metal compounds are coloured'.
Stating that anhydrous copper(II) sulfate is blue.
Put it right: Specify that hydrated copper(II) sulfate or aqueous copper(II) sulfate is blue, as the anhydrous form is white.
Confusing iron(II) and iron(III) compounds.
Put it right: Check the Roman numeral and the charge; Fe²⁺ compounds are usually pale green and Fe³⁺ compounds are often yellow-brown.
Exam tips
- Learn one clear compound example per metal (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) so you can answer quickly under time pressure.
- When asked to 'exemplify', give the compound name or formula plus the property in the same sentence.
Try the lesson
The start of the Typical properties: Students should be able to exemplify these general properties by reference to compounds of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following observations best exemplifies a typical property of transition metal compounds, such as those of copper or iron?
Listen
Transition metals show general properties such as forming ions with different charges, forming coloured compounds, and acting as catalysts. To exemplify these, you must recall specific compounds of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. For example, chromium forms orange potassium dichromate(VI), K₂Cr₂O₇. Iron forms ions with different charges: iron(II) sulfate, FeSO₄, is pale green, while iron(III) chloride, FeCl₃, is yellow-brown. Manganese(IV) oxide, MnO₂, catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Cobalt(II) chloride, CoCl₂, is pink in aqueous solution. Nickel(II) sulfate, NiSO₄, forms green solutions. Hydrated copper(II) sulfate, CuSO₄·5H₂O, is blue. You must link each compound to a specific property, such as colour or catalytic activity. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Names a compound of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni or Cu and correctly links it to a general transition-metal property such as colour, forming ions with different charges, or catalysis. Gives the correct formula or name for the chosen compound, for example K₂Cr₂O₇, MnO₂, FeSO₄, CoCl₂, NiSO₄ or hydrated CuSO₄. States the charge of the transition metal ion where the property depends on it, for example Fe in FeSO₄ is 2⁺ and Fe in FeCl₃ is 3⁺. Describes the observed property accurately, for example 'orange solution' or 'catalyses decomposition of H₂O₂'. A common slip: Naming a compound but not linking it to a property. Instead, state the property, for example 'hydrated CuSO₄ is blue because transition metal compounds are coloured'. Exam tip: Learn one clear compound example per metal (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) so you can answer quickly under time pressure.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Ions with different charges
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Coloured compounds
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Catalysis
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Transition metal chemistry
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Ions with different charges
- Transition metals form ions with different charges, such as iron in FeSO₄ being 2⁺ and iron in FeCl₃ being 3⁺.
- Coloured compounds
- Transition metals form coloured compounds, for example hydrated copper(II) sulfate is blue and cobalt(II) chloride is pink in aqueous solution.
- Catalysis
- Transition metals act as catalysts, for example manganese(IV) oxide catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
- Transition metal chemistry
- Transition metals show general properties such as forming ions with different charges, forming coloured compounds and acting as catalysts, exemplified by compounds of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Typical properties: Students should be able to exemplify these general properties by reference to compounds of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge