Question

Name the four blocks of elements in the periodic table and list the difference in their electronic configurations. Give examples of each type of elements. Write at least four characteristics of each block.

Answer 1

The four blocks of elements in the periodic table are as follows,

s block elements  

Electronic configuration: $ns^{ 1-2 }$  where n=2- 7

General characteristics:

• Melting point and boiling point are low and are soft metals.

• High electropositive and low ionisation enthalpies.

• Strong reducing agents.

• Good conductor of “electricity and heat”.

p block elements  

Electronic configuration: $ns^{ 1 }{ np }^{ 6 }\quad to\quad { ns }^{ 2 }np^{ 6 }$

General characteristics:

• Top to bottom, metallic character increases within a group.

• Left to right, increase in “non-metallic character” along the period and form covalent compounds.
• Ionisation enthalpies are higher than the s block elements.

d block elements  

The configuration of d-block elements is $(n-1)d^{ 1-10 }\quad ns^{ 1-2 }$(outer shell) where n=4 to 7

General characteristics:

• Good conductor of electricity and heat.
• Ionisation enthalpy lies between s and p block.
• Ionic and also covalent compounds formed.
• Oxidation states are variable.

f block elements  

Electronic configuration: $(n-2)f^{ 0-14 }\quad (n-1)d^{ 0-1 }ns^{ 2 }$  

General characteristics:

• Heavy metals.
• High melting point and boiling point.
• Oxidation states are variable.
• Coloured compounds.