Question

What are transition metals? How many transition metals are there in the present periodic table? Name the lightest and heaviest transition metals.

Answer 1

Transition metals:

1. The transition metals are the elements in which the last electron enters the d-subshell. they are also called d-block elements as they belong to the d-block. The d-block starts in group $3$ and ends in group $12$.
2. They are named transition elements/metals because their properties are intermediate between the s-block and p-block elements.
3. There are a total of $38$ transition elements present in the periodic table.
4. The heaviest transition element is Osmium (Os) with an atomic number $76$, and the lightest transition element is Scandium (Sc) with an atomic number $21$.