S-block Elements

The s-block elements have a very soft nature in terms of appearing as metals along with larger atoms and good conducting ability within chemical reactions. The present study is going to discuss the key characteristics of the S-block elements along with their electronic configuration and chemical properties. Additionally, it will discuss the diagonal relationship of the s-block elements in the periodic table. 

Characteristics of the s-block Elements 

The s-block elements have a few distinctive characteristics based on their functions and appearance in the periodic table. First, the s-block materials are commonly regarded as alkaline metals within the periodic tables eventually making softness a key characteristic of these metals in real-time. Further, it has a very highly electropositive nature while being in chemical reactions. It makes them effective within the reactions and enables them to appear as proper reducing agents within the periodic table. The s-block elements also involve low boiling points that eventually influence a low melting point also. The elements are also effective in terms of imparting specific colours within flames, especially while being in the chemical reactions Electronic Configuration of the s-block Elements 

The s-block elements characteristically involve a single valence electron for alkali elements in the outermost shell of the reaction. Within these elements, the electronics are loosely held with high electro-positivity. Due to the high electropositive nature, the s-block elements do not involve any free state in their nature. Based on these properties of the s-block elements, the electronic configuration is categorised between group 1 and group 2 elements. Elements like Lithium (1s22s1), Sodium (1s22s22p633s1), Potassium (1s22s22p63s23p64s1) etc. are involved in the group 1 of the s-block elements. Further, elements such as Magnesium ([Ne]3s2), Radium ([Rn]7s2, Calcium ([Ar]4s2) and Beryllium ([He]2s2) are included within the group 2 of the s-block elements. 

Discussion on the s-block Elements in the Periodic Table 

The chemical elements within the periodic table are placed based on their orbital characteristics determined by the energy of the electrons within the elements. Characteristically, the s-block elements have two separate groups within the periodic table that are alkaline metals and alkaline earth metals within the periodic table. Group 1 within the s-block consists of elements like Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Francium (Fr), Lithium (Li), Caesium (Cs) and Rubidium (Rb) in the periodic table. Further, Group 2 within the s-block has Magnesium, (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Radium (Ra), Beryllium (Be), Barium (Ba) and Strontium (Sr) attached to the periodic table. 

Chemical Properties of the s-block Elements 

The s-block elements involve distinctive chemical properties based on the modern periodic table and the size of alkali metals within a particular period. The ionic radii increase with the increasing group atomic numbers within the modern periodic table. The s-block elements also have hydration enthalpy that enables them to increase the size of the ions while accommodating a larger number of components like water molecules within the elements. 

Diagonal Relationship of s-block Elements in the Periodic Table 

The s-block elements involve a diagonal relationship within the periodic table between the adjacent groups within the table. Here, Lithium has a diagonal relationship with Magnesium, Beryllium is with Aluminium and Boron has a diagonal relationship with silicon within the modern periodic table. 

Importance of s-block Elements 

The elements of the S-block within the periodic table have major usage in the healthcare and medical sectors where they are used for making orthopaedic casts and surgical equipment. Further, it has widespread usage in agriculture in terms of manufacturing soil additives and fertilisers for lands. Additionally, they can be used to make health supplements. 

Conclusion 

The s-block elements have a very distinctive characteristic that categorises them into two different groups within the modern periodic table. The elements in the s-block involve a low boiling as well as a low melting point that makes their physical properties soft in terms of appearing as alkaline metals within the periodic table. Further, the s-block elements also involve larger ionic and atomic radii that enable them to attain good conducting characteristics in the process. Additionally, these elements also involve high electropositivity with proper heat in their corresponding periods.