Question

Period four transition metals have higher densities dense (e.g., Cu, d = 8.96 g/cm) compared to period four group 1A metals (e.g., K, d = 0.86 g/cm'). Explain.

Answer 1

We know that from left to right in a period, the atomic size decreases according to periodic trnda. This coupled with the higher mass of the transition metals means that for the same Volume of metal, the transition metal structure weighs more than the 1A group metals, meaning they are more dense.