Transition Metals

With each of the next ten elements in the fourth period, one more electron is added to the 3d orbital. These are the fourth period transition metals. They include some of the more commonly known metals. In this group are Scandium (Sc - 21), Titanium (Ti - 22), Vanadium (V - 23), Chromium (Cr - 24), Manganese (Mn - 25), Iron (Fe - 26), Cobalt (Co - 27), Nickel (Ni - 28), Copper (Cu - 29) and Zinc (Zn - 30). These metals can be used as pure elements but are more commonly used as alloys of two or more metallic elements.

Here are a few facts about each of these elements.

Scandium's only major application, only just discovered in the 1970s, is in Aluminum alloys where as little as 0.5% Scandium can significantly increase the strength of the Aluminum. Scandium, although not rare, is difficult to mine and prepare. It is sometimes included in with the Rare Earth elements.

Titanium can be alloyed with Iron, Aluminum, Vanadium, Molybdenum and other elements to produce strong lightweight alloys. It is highly corrosion resistant and has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal. Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) is the most widely used white pigment because of its brightness and very high refractive index.

Small amounts of Vanadium considerably increase the strength of steel. Vanadium steel was first used commercially in Henry Ford's Model-T.

Chromium is added to Iron to produce Stainless Steel. This form of steel does not rust due to the formation of a thin coat of Chromium Oxide on the surface.

Manganese is added in some formulations of Stainless Steel. One percent Manganese is added to Aluminum to produce an alloy with improved corrosion resistance. This is used to produce soda cans.

Iron is the most common element on Earth, forming much of Earth's core. Steel is Iron containing approximately 2% Carbon. Iron alloys with numerous other metals to produce a wide range of types and grades of steel with varying strength, corrosion resistance and flexibility. Iron is also necessary for life being the Oxygen carrier in Hemoglobin.

Cobalt is used in the preparation of wear-resistant and high-strength alloys. It is one of only three transition metals that are ferromagnetic, along with Iron and Nickel. Ferromagnetic means a substance that can be made permanently magnetic or is attracted by magnets. Cobalt Aluminate (CoAl₂O₄), commonly called cobalt blue, give a distinctive deep blue color to glass, ceramics, inks and paints.

Nickel is chiefly valuable for the alloys it forms. About 60% of the world's production is used in nickel-steels, in particular stainless steel. It is also ferromagnetic. The American five cent coin, the Nickel, currently contains 25% Nickel and 75% Copper.

Copper is a very ductile metal with high thermal and electrical conductivity. It is used in almost all forms of electrical and electronic products. It is in the same group, Group 11, with Gold and Silver and shares similar properties. Copper forms two well known alloys, Bronze (Copper and Tin) and Brass (Copper and Zinc). Bronze is particularly resistant to seawater corrosion and Brass has excellent acoustic properties and low friction. Although Copper should have a 4s², 3d⁹ configuration, one of the 4s electrons goes to the 3d to fill it, leaving the one unpaired electron in the 4s orbital. This electron shift, in all three natural group 11 elements, affects the formation of bonds.

Zinc's major application Is corrosion-resistant zinc plating of steel (hot-dip galvanizing). It is also an essential mineral. Zinc deficiency affects about two billion people in the developing world and is associated with many diseases. It is found as the reactive metal of a number of important enzymes, such as alcohol dehydrogenase in humans.

As can be seen from this information, most of these metals are used in alloys of Iron or Aluminum. They add strength or corrosion resistance to the primary elemental metal. No one element is a perfect metal on its own. A small amount of another metal improves the overall quality of the final mixture.

In the Bible we find the value of forming an alloy, or relationship, with God Himself. In Philippians 4:13 it states: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.(NIV)" And Exodus 15:2a says: "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.(NIV)" Luke 12:21 says "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God. (NLT)"

We also become stronger when we form relationships with others and work together towards a common goal. From Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)"