Why do transition elements show variable oxidation state?

Related questions

1. Why dry cell is called dry cell?
2. Is MnO2 acidic or basic?
3. Why bao2 is a peroxide but MnO2 is not?
4. What is the oxidation number of MnO4 2?
5. What does oxidation number tell you?
6. Why transition elements exhibit large number of oxidation states?
7. Is oxidation state and oxidation number the same?
8. Why does basicity decrease down a group?
9. Which is better dry cell or wet cell?
10. Why does hydrogen peroxide decompose?

Tags

1. #orbitals
2. #energies
3. #states
4. #bonding
5. #being
6. #transition
7. #oxidation
8. #elements
9. #compounds
10. #similar
11. #different
12. #almost
13. #variable
14. #reason
15. #present
16. #participate
17. #electrons
18. #metals