| Date | May 2010 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 10M.2.hl.TZ1.4 |
| Level | HL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | 4 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Explain why copper is considered a transition metal while scandium is not.
Markscheme
Sc has no d electrons as an ion / Cu has d electrons;
Cu compounds are coloured / Sc compounds are colourless;
Cu has more than one oxidation state / Sc has only one oxidation state;
Cu compounds can act as catalysts / Sc cannot act as catalysts;
Examiners report
Answers to (e) were disappointing - many candidates seem not to have considered the 3-mark allocation and often mentioned only the presence or absence of d electrons.
Syllabus sections
Additional higher level (AHL) » Topic 13: The periodic table—the transition metals » 13.1 First-row d-block elements
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