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Trends in Physical Properties of Group 13 Elements

Introduction

Every student new to the modern periodic table finds it challenging to understand. That was also the case when the first periodic table of elements was created. So, scientists have been grouping elements in the periodic table to make the study more accessible for a long time now. 

This detailed article is all about the boron family, one of the many groups found in a periodic table. Boron is essential for plant growth, industrial applications and many other uses. Our primary focus will be the boron group’s physical properties. Nevertheless, let us start by learning a little more about Boron and its family. 

Group 13 Elements: The Boron Family

The group of six elements for the Boron Family is known as the group-13 elements of the periodic table. When we look at the modern periodic table, it is divided into four blocks s, p, d, and f. The group 13 elements fall under the p-block.  

Members of the Boron Group:

  • Boron (B)
  • Aluminium (Al)
  • Gallium (Ga)
  • Indium (In)
  • Thallium (Tl)
  • Ununtrium (Uut) or Nihonium (Nh) or Element 113

Physical Properties of the Boron Group

Each element of group 13 of the periodic table has distinctive physical properties. In this section, we will uncover them all.  

Physical properties of Boron (B)

  • Boron is the very first element of group 13
  • Its atomic number is 5 and its atomic weight is 10.811
  • Its electron configuration is [He],1s2 2s2 2p1
  • Boron melts at 2050 °C – 2200 °C, whereas its boiling point is 2550 °C – 2560 °C
  • Natural Boron is a hard material that can scratch surfaces as hard as diamonds
  • Boron is very brittle. Thus, it can not be used as a tool
  • At low or room temperatures, Boron acts as an insulator
  • If we heat the Boron ore, it will transform into a highly conductive substance
  • Accidentally eating a low amount of Boron is not poisonous, but if consumed in high amounts or regular intervals, it can lead to death

Physical properties of Aluminium (Al)

  • Aluminium is the 3rd most abundant element on Earth and the most widely used metal after iron
  • Aluminium can not be oxidised in normal conditions. It can only be done with the help of mercury
  • It is a metal-like element with both metallic and non-metallic properties
  • Aluminium is a non-lustrous solid material that has a silver like colour
  • Aluminium does not attract magnets as other metals do
  • Pure aluminium is very soft. It can be hardened by making alloys out of it
  • Aluminium is very malleable and ductile. It can be turned into thin sheets, bent to give shape and different sizes
  • Aluminium expands under high temperatures. It has a thermal expansion coefficient of 23.2
  • It has high thermal and electrical conductivity
  • Pure aluminium melts at 650 °C – 670 °C  and boils at 2470 °C – 2480 °C

Physical properties of Gallium (Ga)

  • Just like Aluminium, Gallium is also a silver-white metal
  • When touched, it feels soft. It can easily be cut in half using a kitchen knife
  • Gallium is highly oxidizing thus has to be carefully handled
  • When heated, it melts at 30 °C.
  • Gallium remains liquid at 0 °C. In fact, Gallium remains liquid at a temperature range of  about 2,000 °C. If the vapour pressure is low, then up to about 1,500 °C.
  • Gallium is the metal that can attain the liquid state for the most prolonged period. It makes Gallium very useful for various experiments.
  • Gallium is a heat conductive metal. As a result, Gallium is one of the few elements used as a heat exchanger in a nuclear powerhouse

Physical properties of Indium (In)

  • Indium is a very soft metal that has a whitish-silver colour
  • It can easily be scratched with fingers
  • The metal Indium is very malleable. It can be turned into any shape or size with little force
  • Indium can also be turned into thin sheets with the help of a hammer
  • When melted, it has a tendency to stick with glass surfaces
  • Similar to tin, it makes a high-pitched sound when bent by force
  • It is a very precious metal, as precious as silver
  • Indium is a corrosion-free metal under normal conditions

Physical properties of Thallium (Tl)

  • Just like indium and several other metals from the Boron group, Thallium is also very malleable
  • Since it has a low tensile strength, it can not be used in reinforcing industrial-grade machinery but is very valuable for crafting
  • The metal is very malleable thus can be crafted into any shape or size easily
  • Thallium is a very good oxidizing metal. It oxidizes continuously when in contact with air
  • Thallium melts at 303.5 °C, and it boils at 1,457 °C
  • Thallium is highly poisonous. It was used as a rat killer back in the day

Physical properties of Ununtrium (Uut) or Nihonium (Nh)

  • Nihonium (Nh), also called element 113 or Ununtrium, is artificial
  • Nihonium (Nh) is highly radioactive in nature
  • Due to its highly radioactive nature, it becomes poisonous for living beings
  • It has a very short life due to radioactivity, thus has no industrial use yet
  • Nihonium has a melting point of 430 °C and a boiling point of 1130 °C
  • It stays solid at room temperature (20 °C)
  • It has similar properties as Aluminium and Boron
  • It is denser than Thallium

Conclusion

The group 13 elements are unique and share some similar properties. There are a total of 6 elements in the Boron group. Five of them are naturally occurring, and the last one is artificial. After going through this article, we are certain that understanding the advanced physical properties of the boron family will be easy.