Online Chemistry Explorer

  What are Transition Metals?   The elements in the periodic table are often divided into four categories: (1) main group elements, (2) transition metals, (3) lanthanides, and (4) actinides. The main group elements include the active metals in the two columns on the extreme left of the periodic table and the metals, semimetals, and non metals in the six columns on the far right. The transition metals are the metallic elements that serve as a bridge, or transition, between the two sides of the table. The lanthanides and the actinides at the bottom of the table are sometimes known as the inner transition metals because they have atomic numbers that fall between the first and second elements in the last two rows of the transition metals.   Electronic configuration Transition metals generally have an electronic configuration of (n-1)d 1-10 ns 1-2 . This indicates that the outermost S orbital can hold one or two electrons, while the penultimate d orbital (n-1)d can hold on...

  The elements in which the last electron is enter into the  p-orbital is knowns as P-block elements.  They are characterized by having their valence electrons in p-orbitals.  These elements include nonmetals, metalloids, and metals.             Electron Configuration: P-block elements have the general electronic configuration ns²np1-⁶, where 'n' is the principal quantum number.       Groups: They encompass groups 13 (Boron), 14 (Carbon), 15 (Nitrogen), 16 (Oxygen), 17 (Halogens), and 18 (Noble Gases).        Nonmetals: Many p-block elements are nonmetals, exhibiting properties like low metallic luster, poor electrical conductivity, and the ability to gain electrons to form negative ions.      Metalloids: Some elements like silicon, arsenic, and antimony, Tellurium are metalloids, displaying properties intermediate between metals and no...

  Every day, we encounter chemistry in daily life. Chemistry is used in daily life for numerous tasks, including eating safe foods, boiling water to kill bacteria, using antibacterial soap etc.   Brushing teeth Toothpaste made using chemistry and chemicals, such as fluoride. It   eliminates bacteria from the mouth and provides a good feel.   Eating safe food Chemists are responsible for testing foods and ensuring they meet safety standards. Furthermore, many chemists work directly with food chains and manufacturers to ensure all food is safe to eat. The same applies to drinks, too.   Cooking food Cooking food, specifically heating foods up, is essential. Not only does it kill harmful bacteria and microorganisms, but it makes food more digestible and safe for consumption.   Pharmaceutical drugs are essential chemistry in daily life Drugs work because of chemistry – the compounds contained in these drugs bind to the receptors in our bod...

  What is Corrosion? Corrosion is a common phenomenon that transforms a refined material into a more chemically stable form, such as its oxide, hydroxide, or sulfide.   You must have noticed that some iron objects are covered with an orange or reddish-brown coloured layer at some point in time when exposed to moisture in air for a long time. The formation of this layer is the result of a chemical process known as rusting, which is a form of corrosion. Corrosion Definition It is basically defined as a natural process that causes the transformation of pure metals into undesirable substances when they react with substances like water or air. This reaction causes damage of metal as it interfaces with the environment and gradually spreads to the entire bulk of the metal. The following image show a corroded iron pipe.   Do All Metals Corrode? Metals placed higher in the reactivity series, such as iron, zinc, etc., get corroded very easily, and metals placed lower in...

  There are several types of chemical reactions such as combination, decomposition, displacement, oxidation and reduction. Combination reaction  In Combination reactions, two or more substances combine to form a single new substance. It is also known as synthesis reaction. Example: carbon combine with oxygen produces a single product namely carbondioxide. C + O 2   → CO 2   Decomposition reaction  In decomposition reaction, compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. Example: Calcium carbonate on decomposition produces calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. CuCO 3 → CuO + CO 2   Displacement reaction when a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from a compound, displacement reaction occurs. There are single and double displacement reactions.  Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s) In this reaction, iron has displaced another element, copper, from copper sulphate solution which is known as displac...

  Writing a Chemical Equation A chemical equation represents a chemical reaction. Word equations are a quick and simple way of summarising chemical reactions. For example, let’s consider the following description of this reaction: “Calcium carbonate powder reacts with a solution of dilute hydrochloric acid yields calcium chloride, liquid water and carbon dioxide gas.” This can be shown by the following word equation: Calcium carbonate + hydrochloric acid → calcium chloride + water + carbon dioxide   Another shorter way for representing chemical equations is to use chemical formulae instead of words. If you recall formulae of Calcium carbonate , hydrochloric acid , calcium chloride, water and carbon dioxide gas , the above word-equation can be written as Balanced Chemical Equations The law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction which means the total mass of the elements present in the products of a chemical ...