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S Block
S Block
Introduction
The s-block elements refer to the elements in group I (alkali metals) and II (alkaline earth metals).
The meaning of s-block is that their outermost shell electrons are in s-orbitals.
The flame test is very useful in qualitative analysis for us to determine the unknown metal ion
(cations)
The formation of complexes required the presence of vacant low- lying d-orbitals which is
available for the transition metals (d-block elements). But for s-block metals, this is not available.
Hence s-block elements seldom form complexes.
Trend: There is a general increase in atomic radii and ionic radii down the group.
Reason: Down the group, there is increase in number of quantum shells.
Trend: Going from group I to II, in the same period, the atomic and ionic radii decrease.
Reason: As there is increase in effective nuclear charge from group I to II, the attraction between
nucleus and the electrons increases.
Trend: The ionic radii of any element is smaller than its atomic radii.
Reason: Since the elements form cation by losing electron(s), there is one electron shell less in the
cation than the atom.
Trend: For group I and II elements, the I.E decreases down the group.
Reason: Down the group, the atomic radius increases due the increase in number of quantum
shells. Hence the outer electrons are less strongly held.
Trend: There is a sharp increase in the 2nd I.E of group I elements and the 3rd I.E of group II
elements
Reason: The second electron of group I elements and the third electron of group II elements
are removed from an inner shell.
Trend: The melting points of group I and II metals decrease down the group.
Reason: Down the group, the ionic radii of metallic ions increase. This decreases the charge density
of +1 or +2 ions and the electrostatic attraction between the positive metallic ions and the
delocalized electrons decrease. This results in the decrease in strength of metallic bonds.
Trend: The melting points of group II metals are much higher than the corresponding group I
metals in the same period.
Reason: The ions of group II have a higher positive +2 charge while the group I ion is +1.
Hence group II metallic ions have higher charge density. Moreover, group II metals give
two delocalized electrons per atom while group I metals only give one. This result in the
stronger metallic bond for group II metals.
Also the packing of crystal structure has effect on the melting points.
All group I metals have the structure of body-centred cubic (b.c.c.) which is not a close packing.
For group II metals, most have close packing of hexagonal closed packing (h.c.p.) or cubic close
packing (c.c.p.). Hence group II metals usually have a higher melting point.
Page 6
Most of the hydrides are ionic. Hydrides react with water to form hydrogen gas and
An alkaline solution.
2) with oxygen
s-block metals react with oxygen to form oxides.
3) with chlorine
s-block metals combine directly with chlorine to form chlorides.
2 Na(s) + Cl2 (g) ---à 2 NaCl(s)
Ca(s) + Cl2 (g) ---à CaCl2 (s)
4) with water
Most s-block metals react water to form hydroxides and hydrogen.
2 Na(s) + 2 H2 O(l) ---à 2 NaOH(aq) + H2 (g)
Ca(s) + 2 H2 O(l) ---à Ca(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g)
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BeO(s) is amphoteric,
BeO(s) + 2 H+(aq) ---à Be2+(aq) + H2 O(l)
BeO(s) + 2 OH-(aq) + H2 O(l) ---à [Be(OH)4 ]2-(aq)
All group II carbonates decompose on heating to give the oxides and carbon dioxide.
MgCO3 (s) ---à MgO(s) + CO2 (g)
Δ
General trends:
1. Carbonates of I metals are more stable (thermally) than those of group II.
2. Thermal stability increases on going down both groups.
3. Lithium carbonate is the only one that decomposes on heating in group I.
Explanation:
The group II metal ions have smaller size than those of group I metal ions and have a higher charge.
Hence the charge density of group II metal ions is higher and their polarizing power is greater. This
distorts the electron cloud of the carbonate ion to a greater extent. Hence group II carbonates have a
higher covalent character than group I carbonates and they will be decomposed more readily on
heating.
On the same group, the size of metal ions increases down the group. The charge density decreases
and the polarizing power decreases also. The distortion of electron cloud of carbonate ion decreases
and the ionic character increases. Hence they will be decomposed less readily on heating down the
group.
Page 9
Relative solubility of the sulphates(VI) and hydroxides
The energy cycle for a compound to dissolve in water is as follows:
Trends:
1. The solubility of the hydroxide increases down both group I and II.
2. The solubility of the sulphates decreases down both group I and II.
Explanation:
For the sulphate(VI), the cations are much smaller than the anions. Down the group, the increase in
size of the cations does not cause a significant decrease inΔHlattice (ΔHlattice is determined by
1
). Hence the decrease inΔHhydration is more significant. As a result, theΔHsolution become
r +r−
+
For the hydroxides, the sizes of the anions and cations are of the same order. Down the group, the
ΔHlattice decreases significantly but the decrease in ΔHhydration relatively small. Hence ΔHsolution
become more negative (exothermic) and the solubility increases.