General Science • ChemistryHard
What is the primary reason why transition elements exhibit variable oxidation states in their chemical compounds?
A. Their valence electrons reside in completely filled inner d-shells
B. The energy difference between (n-1)d and ns orbitals is very small, allowing participation of both in bonding✓ Correct Answer
C. They possess extremely high electronegativity values similar to halogens
D. They form giant covalent lattices that prevent ionization
💡 Solution & Explanation
Transition elements exhibit variable oxidation states because the energy levels of their outermost ns electrons and penultimate (n-1)d electrons are very close to each other, making comparable amounts of energy available for bond formation. This allows electrons from both subshells to participate in chemical bonding, leading to multiple stable oxidation states. Manganese exhibits the widest range of oxidation states from plus two to plus seven.
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