Question 1 Medium
Why is iron often coated with zinc?
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Answer: to stop it rusting
- Zinc stops water and air reaching the iron.
- It protects the iron from rusting.
Transition metals: GCSE Combined Science Chemistry practice questions
A second set of questions on transition metals. They are different from the ones on the topic page. Try each, then open the answer and compare your working.
More questions
Question 2 Medium
Describe the colour of a solution of iron(II) chloride.
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Answer: green
- Iron(II) compounds are green.
- The solution is pale green.
Question 3 Medium
Name the transition metal used as the catalyst when vegetable oils are hardened to make margarine.
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Answer: nickel
- Vegetable oils are reacted with hydrogen.
- The catalyst is nickel.
Question 4 Medium
A block of zinc has a mass of 142 g and a volume of 20 cm³. Calculate its density in g/cm³.
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Answer: 7.1 g/cm³
- density = mass ÷ volume.
- 142 ÷ 20 = 7.1.
Question 5 Hard
Explain why a catalyst lowers the cost of making a chemical.
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Answer: it lets the reaction run faster at a lower temperature, saving energy
- A catalyst speeds up the reaction.
- It lets the reaction work at a lower temperature, so less energy is needed.
Question 6 Hard
Sodium melts at 98 °C and iron melts at 1538 °C. How many times higher is the melting point of iron? Give your answer to 2 significant figures.
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Answer: 16
- Divide 1538 by 98.
- 1538 ÷ 98 = 15.7.
- To 2 significant figures this is 16.
Question 7 Hard
Give one reason why potassium is stored in oil but iron nails are not.
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Answer: potassium is much more reactive than iron
- Potassium is very reactive with air and water.
- Iron is much less reactive.
Question 8 Hard
Iron and sodium both conduct electricity. Give two properties that show iron is a transition metal and sodium is not.
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Answer: higher melting point and higher density
- Iron is harder and denser than sodium.
- Iron has a much higher melting point.
Quick checks
Short questions with options. Choose one before you open the answer.
Check 1
Where are the transition metals in the periodic table?
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In the central block between Group 2 and Group 3.
Check 2
Name three transition metals.
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For example iron, copper and nickel.
Check 3
Which transition metal is a liquid at room temperature?
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Mercury.
Check 4
How do the melting points of transition metals compare with Group 1?
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Much higher.
Check 5
How do the densities of transition metals compare with Group 1?
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Higher.
Check 6
How does the reactivity of transition metals compare with Group 1?
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Much lower.
Check 7
What is a catalyst?
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A substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up.
Check 8
Which metal is the catalyst in the Haber process?
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Iron.
Check 9
Which metal catalyses the hardening of vegetable oils?
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Nickel.
Check 10
What colour are copper(II) compounds?
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Blue.
Check 11
What colour are iron(II) compounds?
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Green.
Check 12
What colour are iron(III) compounds?
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Orange-brown.
Check 13
What does the (II) in iron(II) chloride show?
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The charge on the iron ion is 2+.
Check 14
Why is copper used for electrical wiring?
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It conducts electricity well and is easy to bend.
Check 15
Why is iron used for construction?
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It is strong and cheap.
Check 16
What colour are Group 1 compounds?
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White or colourless.
Check 17
What does malleable mean?
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It can be hammered into shape.
Check 18
What does ductile mean?
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It can be pulled into wires.
Check 19
What are Group 1 metals like to cut?
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Soft. They can be cut with a knife.
Check 20
What is the equation for density?
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Density = mass ÷ volume.
Check 21
Which ion is called the iron(III) ion?
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Fe³⁺.
Check 22
Why is zinc used to coat iron?
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To stop the iron rusting.
Check 23
Why do factories use catalysts?
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Reactions run faster at lower temperatures, which saves energy and money.
Check 24
Which has the higher melting point, iron or sodium?
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Iron, at 1538 °C. Sodium melts at 98 °C.
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