The elements that hold their valence electrons in the outermost p-orbitals are called p-block elements. The p- block is located on the right side and contains 35 elements. The p-block is the most diverse block present in the periodic table as it contains diverse elements: metals, metalloids, nonmetals, halogens, and noble or inert gases. Elements are present in group numbers 13,14,15,16,17, and 18 vertically and in periods 2,3,4,5, and 6 except Helium . The p-subshell contains three degenerate orbitals, each orbital holding a maximum of 2 electrons and the subshell holding a maximum of 6 electrons. 

General Characteristics of p-block elements:

  1. Electronic configuration ns2np1-6(except He).
  2. p- block elements show variable Oxidation State equals the total number of Valence Electrons (total number of electrons present in s and p subshell).
  3. They can exhibit both negative and positive oxidation States.
  4. Most of the elements form covalent bonds; some also form ionic bonds. 
  5. Tendency to show inert pair effect.
  6. It consists of metals, nonmetals, metalloids, halogens, and noble gases.

Groups :

1.Group 13 or III-A: Boron Family

General electronic configuration: (ns2 np1)

5 Boron (B) 1s2 2s22p1 or [He] 2s2 2p1

13 Aluminium (Al) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1 or [Ne] 3s2 3p1

31 Gallium(Ga) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10, 4s2 4p1 or [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p1

49 Indium(In) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10, 5s25p1 or [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p1

81 Thallium(Tl) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p1 or

[Xe] 5d10 6s2 6p1

2.Group 14 or IV A: Carbon Family

General electronic configuration: (ns2 np2)

6 Carbon (C) 1s2 2s22p2 or [He] 2s2 2p2

14 Silicon (Si) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2 or [Ne] 3s2 3p2

32 Germanium(Ge) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p2 or [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p2

50 Tin(Sn) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s25p2 or [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p2

82 Lead(Pb) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p2 or

 [Xe] 5d10 6s2 6p2

3.Group 15 or V A: Nitrogen Family or Pnicogens

General electronic configuration: (ns2 np3)

7 Nitrogen (N) 1s2 2s22p3 or [He] 2s2 2p3

15 Phosphorus (P) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3 or [Ne] 3s2 3p3

33 Arsenic(As) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p3 or [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p3

51 Antimony(Sb) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s25p3 or [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p3

83 Bismuth(Bi) 1s2, 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p3

 or [Xe] 5d10 6s2 6p3

4.Group 16 or VI A: Oxygen Family or Chalcogens

General electronic configuration: (ns2 np4)

8 Oxygen (O) 1s2 2s22p4 or [He] 2s2 2p4

16 Sulphur (S) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4 or [Ne] 3s2 3p4

34 Selenium(Se) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p4 or [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p4

52 Tellurium(Te) 1s2 2s2 2p6, 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s25p4 or [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p4

84 Polonium(Po) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p4

or [Xe] 5d10 6s2 6p4

5.Group 17 or VII A: Fluorine Family or Halogens

General electronic configuration: (ns2 np5)

9 Fluorine (F) 1s2 2s22p5 or [He] 2s2 2p5

17 Chlorine (Cl) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5 or [Ne] 3s2 3p5

35 Bromine(Br) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p5 or [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p5

53 Iodine(I) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s25p5 or [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p5

85 Astatine(At) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p5

or [Xe] 5d10 6s2 6p5

6.Group 18 or VIII A: Neon Family or Noble Gases/ Inert Gases/ Zero Gases

General electronic configuration: (ns2 np6)

10 Neon (Ne) 1s2 2s22p6 or [He] 2s2 2p6

18 Argon (Ar) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 or [Ne] 3s2 3p6

36 Krypton(Kr) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 or [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p6

54 Xenon(Xe) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s25p6 or [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p6

86 Radon(Rn) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p6

 or [Xe] 5d10 6s2 6p6

Compounds of p-block elements 

  • Ozone- An allotrope of oxygen, ozone is a gas found in the earth’s atmosphere. When oxygen reacts with the sun’s ultraviolet rays, ozone is formed. It protects the earth from the harmful rays of the sun. 
  • Ammonia – A compound made from hydrogen and nitrogen, ammonia forms when animals’ bodies decay. It is also present in soil and is important for life. 
  • Sulphuric acid – It is a liquid that is colourless and corrosive. It releases heat when mixed with water. 
  • Phosphine – is formed when phosphorus is heated in potassium carbonate solution and is an important part of the biochemical cycle of phosphorus.

Uses of p-block elements 

The properties of p-block elements are such that these elements in their various forms become extremely useful. Some of the uses are listed below – 

  • Borax is used as a cleaning agent to harden the steel in aircrafts and bulletproof vests.
  • Aluminium can be used for making utensils, foils, cables etc.
  • Silicon, gallium and arsenic can be used as semiconductors.
  • Iodine is used to produce iodine tinctures in labs.
  • Chlorine acts as a disinfectant and is used in swimming pools.

Conclusion

The p-block elements and their compounds play a vital role in our lives. Oxygen present in the atmosphere is the basis for living. Ozone (a compound of oxygen) present in the stratosphere shields us from harmful UV rays of the sun. Carbon is present in organic matter as a basic element. Silicon, Germanium and its compounds form semiconductors. Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid are the most important chemicals for synthesising many compounds.