An alloy such as stainless steel forms readily between transition metals because

Correct answer: B. their atoms are of similar size and can substitute for one another in the lattice

  • A. the metals react chemically to form a compound
  • B. their atoms are of similar size and can substitute for one another in the lattice
  • C. they have identical melting points
  • D. they are all radioactive

Explanation

Atomic radii across a transition series change very little, since the added electrons enter an inner d subshell and shield the extra nuclear charge, so one metal can replace another in the lattice without disrupting it. The resulting alloy is a mixture rather than a compound. Chromium and nickel added to iron in this way give stainless steel its corrosion resistance.

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About Electronic Structure of d-Block Elements

The electronic structure of d-block elements covers the filling of the (n-1)d and ns orbitals, general electronic configurations, and the exceptions shown by chromium and copper. It explains how partially filled d orbitals produce variable oxidation states, coloured ions, magnetic behaviour and complex formation, while distinguishing transition elements from elements with completely filled d subshells.

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