Introduction to p-Block Elements

With so many elements in the periodic table, don’t you get a little nervous? Well, it’s not that tricky! The scientists possibly knew how difficult it would be to remember all of the elements and their properties. That is why they grouped the elements into different groups. In this chapter, we will cover the p block elements. Nonetheless, let us just tell you, it is not THAT simple! You do have to focus on the subject honestly! Let us start with what p-block elements are.

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What are p – Block Elements?

We have shown the p block elements in the diagram below. These elements are usually good conductors of electricity. Because they have a tendency to lose their electrons. Also, they have a shiny lustre.

In this block, you will find some of the most amazing and diverse properties of various elements, like Gallium. It is a p block metal that can actually melt in your palms. On the other hand p block elements also have silicon that is a metalloid. It is a very important component in the making of glass.

More on P Block Elements

A prominent characteristic of these p block elements is that the last electron of all these elements enters the outermost p-subshell. P block elements comprise of the various families that include:

• Boron family
• Nitrogen family
• Oxygen family
• Fluorine family and
• Neon family, or the family of the inert gases.

Thus, we see that the P block starts from the 13^th group and goes to 18^th group in the periodic table.

Browse more Topics under The P Block Elements

• Some Important Compounds of Carbon and Silicon
• Trend and Anomalous Properties of Carbon
• Trends and Properties of Boron and Aluminium
• Ammonia
• Chlorine
• Dinitrogen
• Dioxygen
• Boron Family
• Carbon Family
• Group 15 Elements
• Group 18 Elements
• Hydrogen Chloride
• Interhalogen Compounds
• Nitric Acid and Oxides of Nitrogen
• Oxoacids of Halogens
• Group 16 Elements
• Oxoacids of Phosphorus
• Group 17 Elements
• Oxoacids of Sulphur
• Ozone
• Phosphine
• Phosphorus – Allotropic Forms
• Phosphorus Halides
• Simple Oxides
• Sulphur – Allotropic Forms
• Sulphuric Acid
• Sulphuric Dioxide

Uses of the P-block Elements

P-block elements show diverse properties. You must have seen that people in villages use coal to cook food. It is nothing but a P-block element i.e. carbon. We use diamonds for the making of beautiful ornaments. This is also a product of carbon. Aluminium foil made up of aluminium is also made up of p block element.

Characteristics of this Block

The general electronic configuration of p-block elements is ns²np^1-6. Except for Helium, all the other elements in this block follow this configuration. In these elements, the inner core electronic configuration may differ. Just because of this difference the inner core, there are changes in both physical and chemical properties of the elements.

The oxidation state of elements in the p-block is maximum when it is equal to a total number of valence electrons i.e. the sum of S and P electrons. One of the most interesting facts about the p-block elements is that it has both non-metals and metalloids.

The first member of the p block elements differs with other elements in two major respects:

• First is the size and every property that depends upon size.
• The second difference applies only to the p-block element which arises from the effects of d-orbitals in the valence shell of the heavier elements.

Learn more about s Block Element here.

Solved Example for You

Q: Why do noble gases not participate in chemical reactions?

Ans: The noble gases are inert in nature. They do not participate in the reactions easily because of their stable electronic configuration, high ionization energies and low electron affinity.