Main Group Elements

What are Main Group Elements?

The elements in the main group are by far the most abundant elements – not only on Earth but throughout the universe. As a result, they are sometimes referred to as representative elements. The main group elements are found in the s- and p- blocks, which means that their electron configurations will end in s or p. Group 1 contains elements with one valence electron, group 2 contains elements with two, group 13 contains elements with three valence electrons, and so on until group 18, which contains elements with eight valence electrons.

Since the main group elements include both metals and nonmetals, their physical properties will differ greatly. For example, elements on the left (in groups 1, 2, and 13) will be solid, very metallic, and tend to lose electrons, whereas many elements on the right will be non-metallic gases that tend to gain electrons.

Table of Contents

• Overview of Main Group Elements
• Properties of Main Group Elements
• Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Overview of the Main Group Elements

• The main group elements in older IUPAC group numbering systems are groups IA, IIA, and IIIA to VIIIA. When the periodic table is divided in this way, the transition metals and inner transition metals are the other main element categories.
• The s-block elements are divided into two groups: Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 2 (alkaline earth metals).
• Groups 13-18 are the p-block elements (basic metals, metalloids, nonmetals, halogens, and noble gases).
• Typically, the s-block elements have one oxidation state (+1 for group 1 and +2 for group 2).
• The p-block elements can have multiple oxidation states.

Read more: Periodic Classification of Elements

Properties of Main Group Elements

Properties of the S-Block Elements

1. The valence configuration of their general valence is ns^{1 – 2}.
2. The oxidation state of Group 1 elements (alkali metals) is +1. The oxidation state of Group 2 elements (alkaline earth metals) is +2.
3. All s-block elements are highly reactive, except for helium.
4. The s-block metals are soft and have low melting and boiling points.
5. S-block metals have a high electropositive potential. They combine with nonmetals to form ionic compounds.
6. The metals in the s-block react to form basic oxides, hydrides, and hydroxides.

Properties of the P-Block Elements

The names of the groups are as follows:

1. Multiple oxidation states distinguish the p-block elements. However, the oxidation state and other properties are determined by the group. The oxidation state of group 17 elements (halogens) is -1, while group 18 elements (noble gases) is 0.
2. The oxidation state of p-block metals is generally ns² np^{1 – 6}. The valence electron of their atom is in the p orbital.
3. Since p- block elements include nonmetals, metalloids, and metals, their properties vary according to their group.
4. Non-metals such as F, Cl, Br, and I form ionic compounds with metals in the p-block elements, while the remaining non-metals form covalent compounds.