Elements of which block are mostly metals with high melting points?

1. Elements of which block are mostly metals with high melting points? +

Answer

d-block — Transition Elements

Concept & Explanation

The d-block elements are mostly metals and generally possess high melting points.

They are located in the middle of the periodic table, mainly in Groups 3–12, and are commonly called transition elements.

General electronic configuration: (n−1)d^1–10 ns^0–2

Their high melting points are mainly due to strong metallic bonding involving the participation of d-electrons.

Practical Periodic Table View

s s-block
Mostly reactive metals

p p-block
Metals, metalloids & non-metals

d d-block
Transition metals

f f-block
Inner-transition metals

Why do d-block metals have high melting points?

Most transition metals have several electrons available for metallic bonding. The involvement of both ns and (n−1)d electrons can produce strong metal–metal bonding.

Therefore, many d-block elements have:

• High melting points
• High boiling points
• High densities
• High hardness
• Good electrical and thermal conductivity

Important exception: Zinc, cadmium and mercury have relatively low melting points compared with many other transition metals because their d-subshells are completely filled.

Examples

Iron (Fe) — d-block metal
Cobalt (Co) — d-block metal
Nickel (Ni) — d-block metal
Chromium (Cr) — d-block metal
Tungsten (W) — d-block metal with an exceptionally high melting point

30 Related MCQs with Solutions

1. Elements of which block are mostly metals with high melting points?

A. s-block

B. p-block

C. d-block

D. f-block

Answer: C. d-block
Most d-block elements are transition metals and generally have high melting points.

2. The d-block elements are mainly found in which groups?

A. 1–2

B. 3–12

C. 13–18

D. 1–18

Answer: B. 3–12
The d-block occupies Groups 3 to 12.

3. d-block elements are commonly known as:

A. Noble gases

B. Alkali metals

C. Transition elements

D. Halogens

Answer: C. Transition elements

4. The differentiating electron in d-block elements generally enters:

A. ns orbital

B. np orbital

C. (n−1)d orbital

D. (n−2)f orbital

Answer: C. (n−1)d orbital

5. Which is a characteristic property of many transition metals?

A. Very low density

B. High melting point

C. Zero conductivity

D. Complete absence of metallic bonding

Answer: B. High melting point

6. Which of the following is a d-block element?

A. Na

B. Mg

C. Fe

D. Cl

Answer: C. Fe

7. Which element has an exceptionally high melting point among the following?

A. Hg

B. W

C. Na

D. K

Answer: B. W
Tungsten has one of the highest melting points among metals.

8. Which metal is liquid at room temperature?

A. Fe

B. W

C. Hg

D. Cr

Answer: C. Hg
Mercury is a d-block element with an unusually low melting point.

9. Which block is situated between s-block and p-block in the periodic table?

A. f-block

B. d-block

C. g-block

D. None

Answer: B. d-block

10. The general configuration of d-block elements is:

A. ns²np⁶

B. ns¹

C. (n−1)d¹–¹⁰ns⁰–²

D. (n−2)f¹–¹⁴

Answer: C

11. Which property is mainly responsible for the high melting points of many transition metals?

A. Weak van der Waals forces

B. Strong metallic bonding

C. Hydrogen bonding

D. Ionic bonding with gases

Answer: B. Strong metallic bonding

12. Which of the following belongs to Group 6?

A. Cr

B. Fe

C. Cu

D. Zn

Answer: A. Cr

13. Which of the following is a transition metal?

A. K

B. Ca

C. Co

D. Br

Answer: C. Co

14. Which d-block element has a completely filled 3d subshell and 4s subshell?

A. Fe

B. Cu

C. Zn

D. Sc

Answer: C. Zn
Zinc has configuration [Ar] 3d¹⁰4s².

15. Which d-block elements have relatively low melting points?

A. Zn, Cd and Hg

B. Cr, W and Mo

C. Fe, Co and Ni

D. Ti, V and Cr

Answer: A. Zn, Cd and Hg

16. Which block contains the transition elements?

A. s

B. p

C. d

D. f

Answer: C. d

17. Which of the following is NOT a typical property of transition metals?

A. Variable oxidation states

B. Formation of coloured compounds

C. High electrical conductivity

D. Extremely low melting points for all members

Answer: D

18. Which element is present in stainless steel and is a d-block metal?

A. Cr

B. Na

C. Cl

D. Ne

Answer: A. Cr

19. Which d-block metal is widely used in construction and machinery?

A. Fe

B. Ne

C. Ar

D. F

Answer: A. Fe

20. The high density of transition metals is mainly related to:

A. Large atomic size only

B. Efficient packing and relatively high atomic masses

C. Presence of hydrogen

D. Low nuclear charge

Answer: B

21. Which metal has a very high melting point and is used in lamp filaments?

A. W

B. Hg

C. Na

D. K

Answer: A. W

22. Which block generally contains elements with partially filled d-orbitals?

A. s-block

B. p-block

C. d-block

D. f-block

Answer: C. d-block

23. Which of the following is a Group 10 element?

A. Ni

B. Fe

C. Cr

D. Zn

Answer: A. Ni

24. Which characteristic makes many transition metals useful in engineering?

A. Low strength

B. High strength and high melting points

C. High volatility

D. Poor conductivity

Answer: B

25. Which of the following has the highest melting point?

A. W

B. Hg

C. Na

D. K

Answer: A. W

26. Which series represents the first transition series?

A. Sc to Zn

B. Y to Cd

C. La to Hg

D. H to Ne

Answer: A. Sc to Zn

27. Transition metals commonly form:

A. Only colourless compounds

B. Coloured compounds

C. Only gases

D. Only covalent gases

Answer: B. Coloured compounds

28. Which property is associated with unpaired d-electrons?

A. Paramagnetism

B. Radioactivity only

C. Noble gas behaviour

D. Absence of magnetism

Answer: A. Paramagnetism

29. Which block is known as the transition block?

A. s-block

B. p-block

C. d-block

D. f-block

Answer: C. d-block

30. Which statement is most accurate regarding d-block elements?

A. All d-block elements have extremely high melting points

B. Most are metals with relatively high melting points

C. All are non-metals

D. All are gases at room temperature

Answer: B. Most are metals with relatively high melting points
This wording is important because Zn, Cd and Hg are notable exceptions.

Advertisement