In Blocks
The Modern Periodic Table is divided into four blocks that are as follows:
- s-Block
- p-Block
- d-Block
- f-Block
Now let’s learn about each block in brief.
s-Block Elements
Groups 1 and 2 are included in the s-Block as elements these blocks have their valence electron in the s-orbital. Also, these groups are also called alkali and alkali-earth metals respectively and their electronic configuration is ns1 and ns2 for group 1 and group 2 elements, where n is the period of that element.
p-Block Elements
Group 13 to Group 18 are included in the p-Block as elements in these blocks have their electronic configuration like ns2np1-6. Some of the most useful elements to mankind are found in this block such as Carbon, Silicon, Aluminium, Phosphorus, Sulfur, etc.
Learn more about, p-block
d-Block Elements
All the elements from group 3 to group 12 are collectively called d-Block elements. These elements are also called transition elements or transition metals as these elements show unstable transitional behaviour between s and p block elements.
f-Block Elements
Only Lanthanide and Actinide series are part of the f-Block. These are called inner transition elements and mark their presence between the elements lanthanum and hafnium and between actinium and rutherfordium.
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Modern Periodic Law
All matter in our environment is made up of basic units known as elements. Initially, only 31 chemical elements were discovered in 1800 and it was easier to study their chemical and other properties. However, as more and more elements were discovered due to technological advancements in science, it became harder to study all the elements simultaneously. Scientists began to think about a method to simplify the study of elements in order to make their work easier.
It was observed that elements’ properties have periodicity, and to study the properties of elements in a fixed pattern, many tables were created to arrange the elements in an ordered manner based on their characteristics. Some examples of these are Doberiener’s triads, Newland’s octaves, Mendeleev’s periodic table, etc.
Significance of the Periodic Classification of Elements
- The classification of elements into groups provides us with a fixed pattern in which the elements’ properties change on a regular basis. The periodic table simplified and organized the study of elements’ physical and chemical properties. We can now simply go to the group and see the properties of the periodic table elements or predict the properties of an element if we know the properties of other elements in the same group.
- Despite the fact that so many elements have already been discovered, there is still a chance that new elements will be discovered. Scientists can use a periodic table to learn about the trending characteristics of elements based on their properties, and thus distinguish new elements from existing ones. Furthermore, researchers are constantly striving to discover new elements and investigate their properties.