Question

What is the single factor that classifies an element as a transition metal? Question 16 options:

A.the highest occupied orbital is aa "d" orbital

B. all orbitals are filled with electrons except the "s" orbitals

C. only the "s" orbitals are filled

D. aall "s" and "p" orbitals are filled

Answer 1

A...Just got it right on my exam:)

Answer 2

Answer: Option (A) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A transition element is defined as the element which has incompletely filled d-orbital.

For example, atomic number of chromium is 24 and its electronic configuration is
`[Ar]4s^(1)3d^(5)`.

Also, sometimes the s-orbital is completely filled and sometimes it is half-filled.

Hence, we can conclude that a single factor that classifies an element as a transition metal is that the highest occupied orbital is a "d" orbital.