Final answer:
Transition metals are named so because they have partially filled d orbitals and exhibit a wide variety of properties. They can also form colored compounds due to electron transitions in the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transition metals are named so because they are defined as elements that have partially filled d orbitals. These elements usually occur in several different stable oxidation states and exhibit a wide variety of properties. They can also form colored compounds due to electron transitions that correspond with absorption of photons in the visible electromagnetic spectrum.