2.3.

1
Classification into Based on the entering of the differentiating electron in the sub-shells, elements
blocks are classified into four blocks. They are (1) s-Block elements, (2) p-Block
: elements
(3) d-Block elements and (4) f-Block elements. Different blocks of the elements in
the long form of the in
periodic table are given Fig 2.3.
s-Block is present s-Block is present at the left side, p-block is at the right side, d-block is at the
at leftand p-block middle and f-block at the bottom of the long form of the periodic table.
at the right side of
Atomic number of aluminium is 13. The thirteenth electron of aluminium enters
periodic table into 3p- orbital. Hence alunminium is called p-block element.
Similarly atomic number
of
titanium is 22, with the configuration of the differentiating electron 3d*. Titanium
is called a d-block element.

18

2
3 3
4 p-block
5 S-block d-block
6
7

f-block

Fig 2.3 Different blocks in

periodic table
68 AKASH ELITE SERIES
 Chemistry IA
S Block elements the
electron enters
the s-orbital of
differentiating
h e elements in which the of each period
elements. The first two elements
shell are called s-block elements are
outermost constitute the s-block. These
2
belong to the s-block. Group 1 and table.
located at the left side of the long form of the periodic
The
elements is n s .
of s-block
The general electronic configuration
characteristic properties of s-block elements are:
lower densities,
soft metals with
1. The elements are highlyelectropositive and are
because of lower ionisation potential.
S-Block elements
act as reductants
2. They are very good reducing agents.
3. They have low melting and boiling points.
Lithium and Beryllium.
ionic substances, except
4. They are very reactive and form
+2 in their compounds.
S. They exhibit an oxidation state of +1 or
flame test.
colours to the flame in the
6. They impart characteristic
from top to bottom
7. Reactivity and metallic character increase

p Block elements of the

electron enters the p-orbitals
The elements in which the differentiating and 18
elements. Groups 13, 14, 15,
16, 17
outermost shell are called p-block
element that is misplaced
in p-block is helium.
constitute the p-block. Group 18
side of the periodic table.
These elements are located at the right
ns* npl-o. The
The general electronic configuration
of p-block elements is
characteristic properties of p-block elements
are:
metals.
most of the
non-metals and some
1. The elements include all metalloids,

2. All gaseous elements except hydrogen are p-block elements.

p-Block elements highly electronegative.
3. Most of these elements are

have high Some of them act asreducing agents.

4. They are good oxidising agents.
electronegativity though ionic halides, oxides, sulphides,
5. They form mostly covalent compounds,
nitrides, etc., are also known.

d - Block elements
the d-orbitals of the
the differentiating electron enters
The elements in which
elements. Groups 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
and
shell are called d-block
penultimate in between s-
These elements are located at the middle,
12 constitute the d-block.
form of the periodic table.
block and p-block of the long
intermediate to those of the s-block and p-block
They have the properties contains four
to as transition elements. The d-block
elements. They are referred
4d- and 5d- series are completely filled with ten elements
series of elements. The 3d-,
and has only eight elements.
each. The 6d- series is incomplete
electronic configuration of d-block elements is (n-1)dl-10 ns0-2
The general
properties of d-block elements are:
The characteristic
The elements are all electropositive and are metals.
1.
which is a liquid at room temperature.
2. They are all solids, except mercury

d-Block elements 3. Most of the elements possess catalytic activity.

formcations with differént magnitude of the charge.

arecatalysts 4: They
PERIODOIC TABLE 69
 Chemistry IA
well as covalent compounds.
5. They form ionic as
interstetial compounds.
alloys and also
compounds,
6. They form complex (oxidation states
variable valence
form coloured ions, exhibit
7. They mostly
and paramagnetism.

f Block elements
the differentiating electron enters the f-orbitals of the
The elements in which
elements. A part of group 3 constitute the
antepenultimate shell are called f-block
bottom of the periodic table. There are
f-block. These elements are located at the
two series of f-block elements. The first
series follows lanthanum (atomic number
to Lu, 71). The second series follows
57) and are called lanthanides (Ce, Z, 58
90 to Lr, 103).
actinium (atomic number 89) and are called actinides (Th, Z,
The electronic configuration of f-block elements
general is (n-2)fl-14(n-1)d0-1ns2
The characteristic properties of f-block elements are:
S 1. These elements are heavy metals with high density.
s 2. They are naturally available in very small quantities and are called rare earths.

3. Trans-uranium elements are all synthetic.

4. They also form complexes and interstetial compounds. T D.

**

5. They show a great deal of similarity among themselves in their properties.

6. The chemistry of actionoids is more complicated than the corresponding
lanthanoids, due to the large number of oxidation states possible for these actinoid
elements.
7. All actinoids are radioactive but in lanthanoids only promethium is radio active
element.