---
title: "Transition elements; non-typical 3d element"
subject: "Engineering Chemistry"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_2/engineering_chemistry:tm-not-typical"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/tm-not-typical
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Transition elements; non-typical 3d element

Engineering Chemistry · Chapter 5: 3-d Transition Elements and their Applications

- Asked in: 2071 Magh, 1+1.5 marks
- Video: [The d-Block and Transition Elements | Transition Elements | CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 (A2)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCBj796CvQg) — Alt Academy
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/tm-not-typical
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/chapter-5

## Question

What are transition elements? Which of 3d-series elements is not a typical transition element and why?

## Short answer

Zinc (Zn) is not a typical transition element. Its atom (3d¹⁰4s²) and its only common ion Zn²⁺ (3d¹⁰) have a completely filled d subshell, lacking an incomplete d subshell required for typical transition properties.

## Answer

**Transition elements:** elements having an incomplete d subshell in their atoms or in their common ions are called transition elements (Sc to Cu in the 3d series).

**Non-typical element: zinc (Zn).** Its configuration is [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s². The d subshell is completely filled in the atom and also in its only common ion, Zn²⁺ (3d¹⁰), because it loses just the 4s electrons. Zn therefore has no incomplete d subshell in any common state and does not show the usual transition properties: it has only one oxidation state (+2), forms colourless, diamagnetic compounds, and has a low melting point. (Cd and Hg behave similarly.)

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What defines a transition element?
   A. An incomplete d subshell in the atom or in its common ions
   B. A completely filled d subshell in the atom
   C. Any element in the periodic table's middle
   D. Any metal with s electrons only
   Answer: A. Transition elements have partly filled d orbitals in atoms or common ions. (Key point: Definition)

2. Which 3d element is not a typical transition element?
   A. Fe
   B. Zn
   C. Mn
   D. Cr
   Answer: B. Zn is 3d10 4s2 in the atom and 3d10 in Zn2+. (Key point: Non-typical element)

3. Why is Zn not typical?
   A. Zn has no 4s electrons
   B. Zn2+ is 3d8
   C. Zn2+ keeps a full 3d10 subshell as it loses only the 4s electrons
   D. Zn has an empty d subshell
   Answer: C. No common state of Zn has an incomplete d subshell. (Key point: Why Zn is excluded)

4. Which set describes zinc compounds?
   A. Variable states, coloured, paramagnetic
   B. +1 to +7 states, coloured
   C. Single +3 state, paramagnetic
   D. Single +2 state, colourless, diamagnetic
   Answer: D. Zn lacks the typical transition properties. (Key point: Zn properties)

## Related in Engineering Chemistry

- [d-block elements; 3d configuration; non-typical metals](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Adblock-config-not-typical) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Why 3d elements are transition; valency characteristics](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3A3d-transition-valency) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Transition elements; why so called; 3d configurations](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Atm-called-config) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Transition elements; oxidation states of 3d; alloys](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Atm-ox-alloy) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Zn and Cd not typical transition metals](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Azn-cd-not-typical) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Main characteristics of 3d transition elements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3A3d-characteristics) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5

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