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Transition Elements MCQs for MDCAT Practice

Chemistry section, Transition Elements chapter. Up to eight free sample questions, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. The full chapter opens in the app.

The bank has 915 active questions on this chapter. Your first 500 practice attempts are free, and every attempt includes a worked explanation.

  1. Question 1
    The central metal atom along with ligand is called:
    • Coordination number
    • Coordination sphere (correct answer)
    • Chelates
    • None of these
    Correct answer: B
    The central metal atom and its surrounding ligands collectively form the coordination sphere in coordination compounds.
  2. Question 2
    The chief ore of copper is:
    • Cuprite
    • Malachite
    • Azurite
    • Copper Pyrite (correct answer)
    Correct answer: D
    Copper Pyrite (Chalcopyrite) is the most abundant and commercially significant ore of copper, widely used in industrial extraction.
  3. Question 3
    The color of Zn2+ compounds is:
    • Yellow
    • Black
    • Blue
    • Colorless (correct answer)
    Correct answer: D
    Zn2+ compounds are colorless because zinc lacks unpaired d-electrons, preventing d-d transitions which are responsible for color in transition metal ions.
  4. Question 4
    Define non-typical transition elements with two examples. _
    • lements of group IB and IIB, e.g., Cu and Zn (correct answer)
    • lements of group IIIB and IVB, e.g., Sc and Ti
    • lements of group IIA and IIIA, e.g., Ca and Al
    • lements of group VB and VIB, e.g., V and Cr
    Correct answer: A
    Non-typical transition elements possess incompletely filled d-orbitals in their elemental or common ionic states, unlike typical transition elements that are defined by incomplete d-orbitals in both states.
  5. Question 5
    A transition element X has a configuration [Ar] 4s03d5 in its +3 oxidation state. Its atomic number is
    • 25
    • 22
    • 26 (correct answer)
    • 19
    Correct answer: C
    Determining a transition metal's atomic number from its +3 ion configuration requires accounting for removed electrons, starting with the neutral atom's electronic configuration.
  6. Question 6
    In which of the following chromium has different oxidation state?
    • K2Cr2O7
    • CrCl3 (correct answer)
    • CrO3
    • K2CrO4
    Correct answer: B
    Determine the oxidation state of chromium in various compounds. This question tests your ability to apply oxidation state rules to transition metal complexes.
  7. Question 7
    Geometry of the transition elements depends upon type of orbital hybridization. Which of the following type of orbital hybridization shows octahedral geometry?
    • sp3
    • dsp2
    • dsp3
    • d2sp3 (correct answer)
    Correct answer: D
    Unlock the mystery of molecular shapes! This question links hybridization to geometry, focusing on the d2sp3 hybridization that dictates an octahedral arrangement.
  8. Question 8
    Define the term coordination number with two examples.
    • The number of atoms or ions immediately surrounding a central atom in a complex, e.g., 4 in [Ni(CO)₄] and 6 in [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻. (correct answer)
    • The number of electrons shared between central atom and ligands, e.g., 2 in H₂O and 3 in NH₃.
    • The number of bonds formed between the central metal atom and ligands, e.g., 4 in [NiCl₄]²⁻ and 6 in [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺.
    • The number of ligand atoms directly attached to the central metal ion, e.g., 2 in [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ and 4 in [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺.
    Correct answer: A
    Coordination number defines the count of direct bonds between a central atom/ion and its nearest neighbors. Examples include octahedral [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ (CN=6) and tetrahedral [Zn(H₂O)₄]²⁺ (CN=4).

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Read the full Transition Elements chapter notes: Transition Elements notes. Or browse every chapter.