The periodic table is very vast. You certainly find it difficult to memorise the various properties of each element. That is why we have divided it into various groups or blocks. In this chapter, we will read more about the Group 15 elements of the periodic table. We will look at the various properties of the elements that belong to this group. So let’s begin.
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What are Group 15 Elements?
The p-block elements are put to the right-hand side of the periodic table in groups from 13 to 18. In the iotas of p-block elements, the separating electron enters the valence p subshell. In this manner, in these elements, the np subshell is filled step by step.
The general valence shell electronic setup of group fifteen elements is ns2, np1-6. The electronic design of helium is 1s2. It has no orbitals. However, it is a p-block element since it takes the physical and chemical properties after that of other p-block elements of the eighteenth group. P-block elements are generally non-metals, while the remaining are metalloids and metals.
P-block elements
Occurrence
Group 15 elements include nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and bismuth. Nitrogen is the real constituent of the air and records for 78% of it by volume. It is the primary member of this group and happens in a free state as a diatomic gas, N2.
Phosphorus is a fundamental constituent of animal and plant matter. Phosphate groups are constituents of nucleic acids, that is, DNA and RNA. Around 60% of bones and teeth are made out of phosphates. Phosphoproteins are available in egg yolk, milk, and bone marrow. The rest of the elements of the group, that is, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth, mostly happen as sulfides. For example, Stibnite, Arsenopyrite, and bismuth glance.
Learn more about the Characteristics of Group 16 Elements.
Trends in Group 15 Elements
Let us now look at some of the trends of atomic properties of these elements.
1) Atomic Radii
Moving down the group, the ionic radii, and atomic radii increases. This is because of the expansion of another main energy level in each progressive element.
2) Ionization Enthalpy
These elements demonstrate higher values of ionization enthalpy when contrasted with group 14 elements. As we move down the group, the ionization enthalpy values keep on decreasing. This is because of the progressive increase in the size of the nucleus.
Learn more about Some Important Compounds of Carbon and Silicon here in detail
3) Electronegativity
Electronegativity is the inclination of a particle to pull in a shared pair of electrons more towards itself. The electronegativity decreases gradually on moving down the group. The reason behind this is the increase in atomic radius.
4) Physical Properties
Physical properties incorporate physical state, boiling and melting points, metallic character, allotropy, and density. Nitrogen is a diatomic gas, while the rest of the elements are solids in nature.
Moving down a group, metallic character increases. On the other hand, the ionization enthalpy of the elements decreases due to an increase in their nuclear size.
5) Trends in Melting and Boiling Points
The melting point increments from nitrogen to arsenic because of the continuous increment in nuclear size. The low melting point of nitrogen is because of its discrete diatomic particles.
In spite of the fact that the nuclear size increments from arsenic to antimony, there is a decrease in their melting points. Despite the fact that antimony has a layered structure, it has a low melting point than arsenic on account of the generally free pressing of particles. Furthermore, the melting point of bismuth is not as much as antimony because of the packing of atoms loosely by metallic holding. Then again, the boiling point step by step increments from nitrogen to bismuth.
The density of these elements increases from nitrogen to bismuth.
6) Allotropy
All group fifteen elements, aside from bismuth, indicate allotropy. Nitrogen is found in two allotropic structures, that is, alpha nitrogen and beta nitrogen. Phosphorus exists in numerous allotropic structures. Of these, the two critical allotropic structures are red phosphorus and white phosphorus.
Arsenic exists in three essential allotropic structures – black, grey, and yellow. Antimony additionally has three essential allotropic structures, to be specific, yellow, metallic and explosive.
Solved Example for You
Q: Write a note on the oxidation states of the group 15 elements.
Ans: Every one of the elements of group 15 has 5 electrons in their outermost circle. They require just 3 electrons to finish their octet setup. The octet can be accomplished either by picking up 3 electrons or by sharing 3 electrons by a method for covalent bonds.
Accordingly, the basic negative oxidation state of these elements is – 3. Moving down the group, the propensity to display – 3 oxidation state diminishes. This is because of the expansion in nuclear size and metallic character.
Group 15 elements additionally indicate positive oxidation states of +3 and +5 by developing covalent bonds. Because of the inert pair effect, the +5 oxidation state stability diminishes down the group, while that of +3 oxidation state increments.
Nitrogen has just s and p-orbitals, yet no d-orbitals in its valence shell. Therefore, nitrogen can demonstrate a most extreme covalency of 4. A covalency of four is reached by the sharing of its lone pair of electrons to another iota or particle.
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