Which electronic configuration change causes increased reactivity with oxygen in transition metals exposed to elevated temperature?

💡 Explanation

When transition metals are heated, promotion of d-electrons to higher energy orbitals occurs because thermal energy excites the electrons allowing easier interaction and electron sharing with oxygen. Therefore, increased reactivity results, rather than electron pairing, p-orbital stabilization or changed f-orbital energy, processes which hinder oxygen interaction.

• Which mechanism rapidly decreases reaction rate when powdered catalyst surface area is significantly reduced?
• Which mechanism causes stable metallic character across a wide temperature range?
• Which outcome increases when catalyst deactivation reduces rate constants?
• Which outcome results from exceeding quench current in superconductors?
• Which conduction effect occurs when thermal agitation narrows band gaps?
• Which consequence results when parasitic capacitance couples digital lines?