The d- and f-Block Elements: common misconceptions

If your child says… “A full d subshell in the atom rules out a transition element.”

Ask together

Does copper’s d subshell stay full when this ion forms?

What’s true

An element can qualify through a common ion with an incomplete d subshell.

If your child says… “An element always has the same oxidation state.”

Ask together

Does forming rust remove iron, or change what it is combined with?

What’s true

The same metal can form compounds with different oxidation states.

If your child says… “Once the atoms balance, the equation is finished.”

Ask together

Before adding electrons, does the left-hand charge of +12 equal the right-hand charge of +6?

What’s true

A balanced ionic equation preserves charge as well as atoms.

If your child says… “Permanganate always forms manganese(II), whatever the solution.”

Ask together

Where would this equation’s hydrogen ions come from in strongly alkaline solution?

What’s true

An acidic half-equation cannot simply be carried over to an alkaline solution.

If your child says… “Adding electrons always makes an ion larger.”

Ask together

Does this curve rise as the nuclei gain protons?

What’s true

Increasing nuclear attraction can outweigh the size increase expected from adding electrons.

If your child says… “Actinoids behave just like lanthanoids.”

Ask together

Which row has accessible states beyond +3?

What’s true

Early actinoids have more oxidation states because several outer orbitals have similar energies.