Which of the following is not the characteristic of a transition element?

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. Show fixed oxidation state.

Key Points

• Transition elements are those elements whose two outermost shells are incomplete.
• These elements have partially filled d-subshell in the ground state or any of their common oxidation state and are commonly referred to as d-block transition elements.
• The d-block elements are categorized as 1st series transition elements, 2nd series transition elements, 3rd series transition elements, and 4th series transition elements.
• Examples are:- Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Au, Hg, etc.
• The f-block elements are termed inner transition elements.
• Some characteristics of Transition elements are;
  • They are hard and have high densities.
  • They always form colored ions and compounds.
  • They have high melting and boiling points.
  • They have more than one oxidation state.