Pt deendayal upadhyay girls college

Vaishnavi joshi
Bsc 1st year semester 1
Chemistry presentation topic - s-block elements and their
properties
( Inorganic chemistry)
Submitted to - Dr. Mishu ma’am
 S- block Elements
The s-block elements having only one electron in their s-orbital are
called group one or alkali metals whereas the s block elements having
two electrons filling their s-orbital are called group two or alkaline earth
metals.
The electrons present in an atom occupy various sub-orbitals of
available energy levels in the order of increasing energy. The last
electron of an atom may find itself in either of the s, p, d and f subshells.
Accordingly, the elements of the atom having their last valence electron
present in the s-suborbital are called the s block elements.
Electronic Configuration of S-Block Elements
The alkali elements in the s-block consist of a single valence electron in
their outermost shell. This outermost electron is loosely held which makes
these metals highly electropositive. Due to which they are not available in
the free state in nature
The general outer electronic configuration of s block
elements is ns(1-2).

Alkaline earth metals

 Properties of s-block elements

All of the s-block elements are metals. In general, they are shiny,
silvery, good conductors of heat and electricity and lose their
valence electrons easily. In fact, they lose their trademark s
orbital valence electrons so easily that the s-block elements are
considered to be some of the most reactive elements on the
periodic table.
 Chemical Properties of S-Block Elements

Atomic and Ionic Radii

When the s block elements of the modern periodic table are observed it
is seen that the size of the alkali metals is larger compared to other
elements in a particular period. As the atomic number increases the total
number of electrons increases along with the addition of shells.
On moving down the group the atomic number increases. As a result,
the atomic and ionic radius of the alkali metals /alkali earth metal
increases.
 Ionization Enthalpy
As we go down the group the size of the atoms increases due to which the
attraction between the nucleus and the electrons in the outermost shell
decreases. As a result, the ionization enthalpy decreases. The ionization
enthalpy of the alkali metals is comparatively lesser than other elements.

Hydration Enthalpy
As the ionic sizes of the elements increase, the hydration enthalpy
decreases. Smaller the size of the ion the hydration enthalpy is high as the
atom has the capacity to accommodate a larger number of water molecules
around it due to the high charge/radius ratio and hence gets hydrated.
Density
They poses quite low energy. Li ,Na, and K are lighter than
water.The densities of alkaline earth metal are much higher than
alkali metals.

Electronegativity
Alkali metal/alkaline earth metals poses low values of
electronegativity. It decrease on going down the group.
 Electropositive character (metallic character)

Alkali metals/ alkali earth metals are highly electropositive .

Due to strong electropositive character they exhibit strong metallic
character. Metallic character increases on going down the group.
 Alkali metals
* **The alkali metals are so called because reaction with water forms
alkalies (i.e., strong bases capable of neutralizing acids).
The alkali metals have the silver-like lustre, high ductility, and
excellent conductivity of electricity and heat generally associated with
metals. Lithium is the lightest metallic element. The alkali metals have
low melting points, ranging from a high of 179 °C (354 °F) for lithium
to a low of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) for cesium. Alloys of alkali metals exist
that melt as low as −78 °C (−109 °F).
The alkali metals are so reactive that they are generally found in nature
combined with other elements. Simple minerals, such as halite (sodium
chloride, NaCl), sylvite (potassium chloride, KCl), and carnallite (a
potassium-magnesium chloride, KCl · MgCl2· 6H2O), are soluble in water
and therefore are easily extracted and purified. More complex,
water-insoluble minerals are, however, far more abundant in Earth’s crust.
The alkali metals react readily with atmospheric oxygen and water
vapour. (Lithium also reacts with nitrogen.) They react vigorously,
and often violently, with water to release hydrogen and form strong
caustic solutions.
 Alkaline earth metals
As with the alkali metals of Group 1 (Ia), the atoms of the alkaline-earth
metals easily lose electrons to become positive ions (cations). Most of their
typical compounds are therefore ionic: salts in which the metal occurs as the
cation M2+, where M represents any Group 2 atom. The salts are colourless
unless they include a coloured anion (negative ion). The formulas of typical
alkaline-earth compounds, such as calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium
oxide (CaO), may be contrasted with the corresponding compounds of the
alkali metals (which contain M+ ions), sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium
monoxide (Na2O)
The oxides of the alkaline-earth metals are basic (i.e., alkaline, in
contrast to acidic). A fairly steady increase in electropositive character
is observed in passing from beryllium, the lightest member of the
group, to radium, the heaviest. As a result of this trend, beryllium oxide
is actually amphoteric, rather than basic, whereas barium oxide is
strongly basic. The metals themselves are highly reactive reducing
agents; that is, they readily give up electrons to other substances that
are, in the process, reduced.