d and f BLOCK ELEMENTS

How does the atomic radius generally change across the first transition series (from Sc to Zn)?

• It increases steadily
• It decreases sharply
• It decreases slightly and then remains relatively constant.
• It remains exactly the same

Why do transition elements often have high melting and boiling points?

• They are gases at room temperature
• Weak van der Waals forces
• Ionic bonding with halogens
• Strong metallic bonding involving delocalized d-electrons.

What is the ground state electronic configuration of Lutetium (Lu, Z=71)?

• [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³
• [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁰ 6s³
• [Xe] 4f¹³ 5d² 6s¹
• [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹ 6s²

Why is Scandium (Sc) placed in the d-block of the periodic table?

• It has a completely filled 3d subshell
• It has no d-electrons
• It has electrons in its 4p subshell
• It has electrons in its 3d subshell in its ground state.

What is the ground state electronic configuration of Tantalum (Ta, Z=73)?

• [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁵
• [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d² 6s³
• [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ 6s¹
• [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d³ 6s²