CBSE Class 11-science Answered
The elements belonging to groups 13 to 18 of the periodic table are the p-block elements. They are also called as representative elements or normal elements. The chemistry of p-block elements plays an important role in our daily life. The three p-block elements oxygen, silicon and aluminium are most abundant in earth's crust. Carbon and sulphur are the two p-block elements that occur in free state.
The p-block elements have relatively little in common except that their outer elections are in p orbitals. This contrasts with the considerable similarities in properties of the elements of the s-block and also between those of the d-block. The p-block is more notable for trends.
Each group in the p-block has its own characteristic properties and hence they are called as representative elements. Depending upon the number of valence electrons, the elements of the p-block exhibit variable oxidation states. The general electronic configuration of these elements is ns2 np1-6.