Transition elements and complex compounds microscale experiment | 16–18 years

Preview of the Transition metals microscale experiment student sheet, teacher and technician notes and the article index image of extracting blood from Atlantic horseshoe crabs

Source: © Andrew J. Martinez/Science Photo Library/Royal Society of Chemistry

Try this microscale practical investigating the transition elements, complex formation and change in oxidation state. Includes kit list and safety instructions

In this practical activity, A-level and equivalent learners conduct a series of microscale experiments to model sustainable practices in the laboratory as they investigate the chemistry of the transition elements. Learners will use experimental evidence to identify reactions involving complex formation and changes in metal oxidation states by observing redox and precipitation reactions and their colour changes. See the Teaching notes and expected observations for each reaction and find the answers to the student sheet questions in the teacher notes download. The experiment will take approximately 20 minutes.

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