Where are the d-block metals on the periodic table?
1 Answer
The d-block metals are 10 columns wide due to the nature of the d-electron orbital subshell, which can hold up to 10 electrons in total, 2 per orbital.
Explanation:
The periodic table is organized based on atomic number as well as the number of valence electrons.
The alkali and alkali earth metals are the elements with valence electrons in the s-orbital, which can contain up to two electrons. This is why it is two columns wide.
The d-block metals, sometimes referred to as simply "transition metals" (although definitions vary and usually only the middle 8 columns are "transition" metals), all have valence electrons in the d-orbitals, which is why they're grouped together.
Metalloids/non-metals have valence electrons in the p-orbital subshell, which contain up to six electrons in total, 2 per orbital. Below is a periodic table showing the different orbitals of elements which may help you understand.
