Chemistry / Unit 2 Chem 0282 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Main-Group, Transition, and Inner Transition Elements
Captions available
The idea
Main-group elements occupy columns 1, 2, and 13–18; transition metals fill the columns between; inner transition metals form two bottom rows.
In practice
Iron sits among the transition metals in period 4, while cerium sits in the lanthanide row below the table's main body.
Where people slip
Group 12 is often called a transition-metal column out of habit, though IUPAC's own definition excludes it from that category.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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