General Introduction to p-Block Elements

The p- block elements are usually shiny and also a good conductor of electricity as well as heat. The p-block elements tend to lose an electron. We also find some amazing properties of elements in a P-block element for example gallium. Gallium is a metal that can melt even in the palm of your hand.  

One of the most important metalloids of the p-block group is silicon; silicon is an important component of glass. We usually see that coal is used in various villages to cook food. This burning of fuel is nothing but a P-block element in the periodic table i.e. carbon. Another byproduct of carbon is diamond; diamond is often used for making beautiful jewelry that is also made up of the p-block element called carbon. 

Another product made of aluminum is aluminum foil, which is also made up of the p-block element. P- Block elements are nothing but the elements present in the periodic table in which the last electron enters the outermost p-subshell. P- Block elements start exactly from the 13th group and go to the 18th group in the periodic table. Group 13 in the periodic table is known as the Boron Family, Group 14 known as the Carbon Family, Group 15 as the Nitrogen Family, Group 16 known as the Oxygen Family, Group known 17 as the Halogen or Fluorine Family as well as Group 18 known as the Noble Gas Family also known as Neon Family. A non-p-block element is Helium, though it’s not a p-block element, it is in the family of noble gas because it is also a noble gas. Helium is one of the s-block elements.

Properties of p-Block Elements 

Some of the properties of the p-block elements are as follows:

1. The last electron present in the atoms of the p-block elements enters only in the p-subshell of the outermost shell.
2. The np sub shell is readily filled up with these elements. The valence shell configuration ranges from ns2 np1 to ns2 np6.
3. Except for Helium, the general electronic configuration of p-block elements is ns2np1-6.
4. In the p-block element’s penultimate shell, the number of electrons is either 2 or 8, or 18.
5. P-block elements consist of a range of oxidation states ranging from +n to (n- 8), except for f and inert gasses, where n is referred to as the number of electrons present in the outermost shell.
6. The p-block elements possess covalency in general, halogens F, and Cl are the highly electronegative elements; these elements exhibit electrovalence by accepting electrons and forming anions. There is a consistent increase in non-metallic character from the direction left to right. However, on the other hand, Non-metallic character decreases from top to bottom in the groups.
7. There is an increase in ionization energy when moved from left to right in a period and eventually decreases when moved from top to bottom in a group. Because of the half-filled and filled orbitals present in the valence shell, most members of groups VA and zero possess extremely high ionization energies.
8. When moved from left to right in every period the reducing nature decreases, while on the other hand oxidizing nature increases. Halogens are also known as powerful oxidizers.
9. When moved from top to bottom in a group nature is reduced. Mainly the elements of the p-block elements react to form acidic oxides.
10. There is no distinct color to the flame when any member of the p-block series or salts imparts.
11. Several p-block series elements are seen to exhibit the phenomenon of allotropy. Carbon, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, germanium, tin, and arsenic are examples and elements that exhibit this property. Thus elements also have a coordinated valence.
12. The oxidation state of elements in p – the block is seen at maximum when the total number of valence electrons i.e. the sum of S and P electrons are equal. One of the most known facts about the p-block elements is that it contains both types of nonmetals and metalloids.

Uses of p-Block Elements

1. A boron compound, borax is used in the making of glass and pottery industries.
2. Elements -Boron-B are also manufactured for use in the detergent and soap industries.
3. Boron is used in aircraft as well as for bulletproof vests.
4. Aluminum comes in use for utensils, coils, cables, iron and zinc protection, and also foils to wrap articles. It is also used as a reducing agent.
5. As semiconductors, germanium, arsenic, and gallium are used for different purposes.
6. The compound alum is used as a water purifier and also as an antiseptic.
7. Iodine tincture comprises iodine.
8. Disinfectants consist of chlorine.
9. Carbon and its compounds are used in numerous applications.

Some Important Compounds of p-Block

1. Ammonia: Ammonia (NH3) is a combination of nitrogen and use hydrogen compounds that is essentially necessary for life. Ammonia is mainly formed as a result of the regular decay or decomposition of vegetable and animal bodies. The death and the rotting process of animals and plants cause the intact nitrogen compounds found in those decomposed bodies to deteriorate, resulting in the production of ammonia. 
2. Another form of ammonia present in the soil is ammonia salt. Ammonia is a type of gas that is devoid of any color. Ammonia has a strong, pungent smell and also tastes like soap. When ammonia is inhaled suddenly, it directly attacks the eyes, causing tears. It comprises less dense than air, ammonia is easily soluble in water. Ammonia easily melts at room temperature and a pressure of around 8-10 atmospheres.
3. Ozone: Ozone is a chemically uncharacterized oxygen allotrope that is known for its high level of instability in nature. Ozone traces can be easily found about 20 kilometers above sea level. Ozone is mainly created when oxygen reacts with the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This gas’s main function is to provide protection and shield the earth’s surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun.

Conclusion

In our current day or for our current civilization the elements of the p-block elements are very important. The elements of p-block elements are diverse and consist of both metals and nonmetals. The compounds are vastly used in field works such as architecture, polymer production, and pharmaceutics. Some elements of the p-block elements are more abundant on the surface of the Earth, for example, carbon, silicon, and oxygen, whereas noble gas from this particular block element is rare in nature.