Question 1 of 44intermediate💡 UnderstandShort Answer2 marks

Silver atom has completely filled d orbitals (4d104d^{10}) in its ground state. How can you say that it is a transition element?

Correct Answer

According to IUPAC, transition metals are defined as metals which have incomplete d subshell either in their neutral atom or in their ions.

Although silver has a completely filled 4d104d^{10} configuration in its ground state, it can exhibit a +2 oxidation state. In this +2 oxidation state, silver will have incompletely filled d-orbitals (4d94d^{9}).

Since silver has an incomplete d subshell in its ionic form (Ag2+Ag^{2+}), it qualifies as a transition element according to the IUPAC definition. This is different from Zn, Cd, and Hg which have full d10d^{10} configuration in both ground state and common oxidation states.

Exercise: Intext Questions | Q: 4.1 | (Page 4)
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Explanation

The textbook explicitly answers this in the 'Answers to Some Intext Questions' section: 'Silver (Z = 47) can exhibit +2 oxidation state wherein it will have incompletely filled d-orbitals (4d), hence a transition element.' The IUPAC definition states that transition metals must have incomplete d subshell either in neutral atom OR in their ions. Since Ag2+Ag^{2+} has incomplete d orbitals, silver qualifies as a transition element despite having filled d orbitals in ground state.

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