S BLOCK

ALKALI METALS (AM)

PHY P.
 Silvery white, light metals.
 Atomic/ionic radii of alkali metals increase down the group
 Ionisation enthalpy is slow and decrease down the group
 Largest size in their period
 Strong reducing agents
 Impart colours to the flame
 Can be cut w a knife
 Have low melting and boiling point
CHEM P.
 AM hydrides are strong reducing agents
 Am hydrides character increase down the group
 Highly reactive and low ionisation enthalpy
 React w water to form hydroxide and dihydrogen
 React vigorously w halogens to form ionic halides
 Strong reducing agents (Li is most powerful)

 LITHIUM
 Exceptionally small size
 High polarising power
 Mp and bp are very high
 Least reactive
 Strongest reducing agent

IMP COMPOUDS
1. Sodium carbonate Na2CO3·10H2O

Uses- water softening, cleaning, making of glass, soap, borax

etc.
 2. Sodium chloride NaCl

Uses- used as common salt

3. Sodium hydroxide NaOH

 Prepared commercially by the electrolysis of sodium

chloride in castner
Uses- used for making soap, paper, artificial silk etc.

4. Sodium hydrogen carbonate NaHCO3

Called as baking soda.

Uses- mild antiseptic for skin infections and used in fire extinguisher

ALKALI EARTH METALS (AEM)

Physical properties
 Silvery white, lustrous, soft
 High electrical and thermal conductivity
 MP and BP higher than alkali metals
 Low ionization enthalpy
 Electropositive in nature

Chemical properties
 Less Reactive than alkali metals
 Combine with hydrogen to form hydrides MH 2 (except
Be)
 Combine with halogen to form halides
 Strong reducing agents
  Calcium oxide CaO
 Known as quicklime
 Prepared commercially by heating limestone
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
 Used in manufacture of dyestuff and cement

 Calcium hydroxide CaOH2

 Commonly known as slaked lime
 Prepared by adding water to quicklime Cao
Cao +H2O = CaOH2
 Used in preparation of glass, used as an antacid

 Calcium carbonate CaCO3

 Prepared by passing CO2 through slaked lime
 On heating calcium carbonate, it decomposes to evolve
carbon dioxide
 Used in manufacture of quicklime, used as a building
material in the form of marble