Overview on Electronic Configuration of S-Block Elements

The electronic configuration of the s-block elements involves the outer electronic configuration of ns(1-2) in the modern periodic table. The current study is going to discuss the concept of alkali metals and their difference from the alkaline earth metals. Further, it will outline the concept of configuration in the s-block elements with a discussion of the physical properties and periodic trends of the elements. 

What are Alkali Metals? 

The alkali metals are the Group IA elements with a single valence shell within the modern periodic table. The s-block elements are commonly termed alkali metals based on the number of electrons and atomic radii and the periodic numbers. Alkali metals can commonly be found in a silvery-white colour along with a soft and solid nature. The IA groups of the alkali metals have a distinctive property with the largest atomic radii and potentially lowest ionisation. The presence of electrons within these metals enables them to have valence shell and lattice energy of the crystals as a part of their characteristics in real-time. 

Difference between Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals 

The alkaline earth metals are one of the essential parts of the s-block elements in terms of the electronic configurations of the groups and maintaining valency within the chemical reactions. The alkaline earth metals have a bivalent nature whereas the alkali metals are monovalent within the chemical reactions. Further, the alkali metals have a more electropositive nature compared to the alkaline earth metals that eventually influenced the hydroxides present within both the metals in the modern periodic table. The alkali metals have the capability to exist in a solid-state with their free nature within a solution whereas the alkaline earth metals are incapable of that within a chemical reaction in real-time. 

The Concept of Configuration in s-Block Elements 

The s-block elements involve the last electrons entering the outermost orbital of the periodic table. It creates different configurations in the s-block elements based on the properties and accommodation capacity of the block within the periodic table. First, the chemical elements of the s-block are divided into two distinctive parts that involve Group 1 and Group 2 as the predominant groups within the periodic table. Each group consists of 6 chemical elements that influence the electronic configuration at times. 

What are the Physical Properties of s-Block Elements? 

The s-block elements involve a few chemical as well as physical properties based on the size of the alkali metals within a specific period. Due to the increase of the atomic numbers, the electrons increase along with the orbital addition. Some of the major physical properties of the s-block elements are discussed below. 

• Low ionic size 
• Low atomic size
• Greater density in terms of charges
• Greater polarisation
• The absence of the d-orbitals

These physical properties of the s-block elements make them more differentiable and covalent, eventually pointing out similarities with the diagonal relationship between elements in the periodic table.  

Diagonal Similarities between Different Elements of S-Block 

The chemical elements within the s-block in the periodic table share a common relationship in terms of appearing diagonally within the table. Here, the hardness of magnesium is similar to lithium whereas the weight of these elements is also the same. Further, the chemical reaction of beryllium is similar to aluminium while reacting with hydroxides in real-time. 

Conclusion 

The electronic configuration of the s-block elements involves two different groups based on the various properties of the elements within the s-block. In this aspect, the valency and electron flow of the alkaline metals involve high electro-positivity along with a strong outermost shell. Eventually, most elements appear in a free state in terms of their common nature enabling the elements to become electronically configurable in real-time. These are commonly based on the chemical and physical properties of the element in the s-block of the periodic table.