(a)(i) Characteristic properties of transition metals.
– Variable oxidation states
– Complex ion. formation
– Formation of coloured ions/compounds
– Paramagnetism – Catalytic ability.

(ii) The oxidation state of manganese in I. MnCl\(_2\) is +2 II. MnO\(_2\) is +4 III. MnO\(^-_4\) is +7
(iii) Manganese conducts electricity in the solid state because it consists of metal nuclei and a sea of mobile (valence) electrons which conduct the current. Manganese chloride conducts only when molten or solution because conduction is by mobile ions.

(b)(i) Factors that determine whether or not the collision of reactant particles would result in the formation of products
–Energy of collision/colliding particles (temperature or activation energy)
–Alignment of the particles.
(ii)


(c) Fe\(^{3+}_{(aq)}\) + 3SCN\(^-_{(aq)}\) \(\rightleftharpoons\) (SCN)\(_{(aq)}\)
yellow colourless deep red
Equilibrium mixture has a pale red colour
(i) On adding more of KSCN\(_{(aq)}\) to the equilibrium mixture, the red colour will deepen. Addition of KSCN would increase the concentration of SCN\(^-\) causing equilibrium to shift to Products the right.
(ii) Fe\(^{3+}\) reacts with NaOH ; Fe\(^{3+}_{(aq)}\) + 3OH\(^-\) --> Fe(OH)\(_3\).
(iii) On adding NaOH\(_{(aq)}\) to the equilibrium mixture, a brown precipitate is formed, a colourless solution is obtained/the red colourpale disappears.