Free Transition elements questions for IGCSE Chemistry (0620), part of The Periodic Table. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Transition Elements worksheet →All The Periodic Table questionsTransition elements have typical properties.
1 They can form ions with different charges.
2 They form coloured compounds.
3 Their compounds are all white.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: B
Which term is described by this statement?
“Metals with high densities and melting points that form coloured compounds and act as catalysts.”
Answer: A
Transition elements have typical properties.
1 They have low melting points.
2 They form coloured compounds.
3 They often act as catalysts.
Which statements are correct?
Answer: B
Iron and copper are transition elements.
State three properties of transition elements that are different from Group I metals.
State one use of a transition element as a catalyst.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | high density; high melting point; coloured compounds; catalysts; variable oxidation states Any 3 of: any three: high density; high melting point; form coloured compounds; act as catalysts; variable oxidation states B3 | 3 |
| (b) | iron in Haber process iron in the Haber process (or nickel in hydrogenation) B1 | 1 |
Compare transition elements with Group I metals.
Give two differences in physical properties.
Give one difference in chemical properties.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | transition: higher density, higher melting point transition elements have higher densities B1 higher melting points (and are harder) B1 | 2 |
| (b) | coloured compounds; catalysts; less reactive transition elements form coloured compounds / act as catalysts / are less reactive with water B1 | 1 |
Transition element compounds are often coloured.
Name the colour of copper(II) sulfate solution and of iron(III) compounds.
Explain what is meant by variable oxidation states, using iron as an example.
Give one use of a transition element as a catalyst.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | blue; orange-brown copper(II) sulfate: blue B1 iron(III): orange/brown/yellow B1 | 2 |
| (b) | Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ transition elements can form ions with different charges B1 e.g. iron forms Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ B1 | 2 |
| (c) | iron Haber; vanadium(V) oxide Contact; nickel hydrogenation iron in the Haber process / vanadium(V) oxide in the Contact process B1 | 1 |
Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.
Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in