P-Block Elements-General Introduction

Elements present in Groups 3 A to 8A of Periodic Table are called P-block elements. These
include metals, metalloids, noble gases and the halogens. Some of the commonly known
elements in the P-block are:

1. Metals : group 3 includes Aluminium (Al), Boron (B), Tin (Sn).

2. Metalloids: metalloids include Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge)

3. Noble Gases: noble gases include helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar).

4. Halogens: halogens include flourine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br).

Position of p-Block Elements in the Periodic Table

P-block elements are those in which the valence electrons reside in the p-orbital.The maximum
number of electrons that can be filled in a p-orbital are 6 so the no of groups having p-block
elements are also 6.i.e.from group 3 to group 6.

These groups are named as follows:

group IIIA called the Boron group

group IVA called as Carbon group.

group VA called as Nitrogen group.

group VIA called as Chalcogens.

group VIIA called as Halogens.

zero group or group VIIIA as Inert or Noble gases group.

Elements in the p-block of the Periodic Table

In the p-block, all the three types of elements are present, i.e. the Metals,Non-Metals,
and Metalloids.Metals are present on the right side while non-metals on the left side and
metalloids in between the two.They can be seen separated by a zigzag line in the periodic table.

Metals Non-Metals Metalloids

Aluminium Helium Boron

Gallium Carbon Silicon

Indium Nitrogen Germanium

Thallium Oxygen Arsenic

 Tin Fluorine Antimony

Lead Neon Tellurium

Phosphorous Polonium

Sulphur Astatine

Chlorine

Argon

Selenium

Bromine

Krypton

Iodine

Xenon

Radon

Daily Life Uses

Different daily life applications if p-blick elements are listed below:
Group IIIA-Boron Family
Boron:
Boron has found many industrial applications including use in fertilizer and fiberglass. Another
application of boron is the borosilicate glass;that has a much greater resistance to thermal
expansion than regular glass. Other important uses of boron may be found in pots, ceramics,
vases, plates, and ceramic pan-handles for its insulating properties.
The compound borax is used in bleaches, for both clothes and teeth. The hardness of boron is
why it have a number of uses.A small part (5%) of the boron produced finds use in agriculture.
(Ref#2

Aluminium:

Aluminium being a metal has a number of uses in everyday life. It is most often used
in construction materials, in electrical devices, especially as the conductorin cables, and in
cooking utensils. Aluminium's lack of reactivity with food products makes it particularly useful
for canning. It has a high affinity for oxygen that makes it a powerful reducing agent. Finely
powdered pure aluminium oxidizes rapidly in air, generating a huge amount of heat in the
process and this found applications in welding and other processes where a large amount of heat
is needed. It is a part of alloys used for making bodies for aircraft. Other uses include military
equipments, components of decorations and some guitars as well as electronics.
Gallium:
Gallium arsenide has been used in semiconductors, in amplifiers, in solar cells (satellites) and in
tunnel diodes for FM transmitter circuits. For dental purposes, Gallium alloys are used .Gallium
ammonium chloride is used for the leads intransistors. A major application of gallium is
in LED lighting. Further it is used to make mirrors because of its property to wet glass and

prcelain. Another use of gallium is its addition to alloys of other metals that lowers their melting
points.
Indium:
It is used in heat reflectors,bearings,display devices and nuclearcontrol rods.An oxide of Indium
is used to make solar panels, streetlights, plasma display panels,windshield glass and cathode
Ray tubes.This oxide is named as Indium tin oxide.(Ref#2)

Thallium:
Thallium is used in the manufacture of photoelectric cells,mercury alloys,glasses.Lamps and
electronics also contain thallium.Further,myocardial imaging makes use of thallium.Production
of a vermin killer I.e.thallium sulphate uses thallium that kills rats and mice.(Ref#2)

Group IVA-Carbon Family

Carbon:
Carbon is the most important element and it has a number of uses in industry and daily life.all
living organisms contain carbon.Graphite act as an electrode in batteries. And is also used to
make pencils, aircrafts and racquets.It is the basis of organic life.Food products also contain
carbon.Plastics are made of it.

Different forms of carbon are used differently.For example activated charcoal is used in water
purification, diamond in jewellery while Graphite has different uses mentioned
previously.(Ref#3)

Silicon:

Manufacture of cement requires silicone.it is also used in electronics,silicon chips, to make

lubricants and for vacuum pumps. Silicon is used as its oxide to make glass. (Ref#3)

Tin and lead

Both of thses are used in alloys and to make pigments.(Ref#3)

Group VA-Nitrogen family

Nitrogen
Different medicines, fertilizers, plastics and explosives contain nitrogen in them.On the other
hand, liquid nitrogen is used in the cooling of food and in pharmaceutical
applications(cryosurgery).(Ref#4)

Phosphorus:

The uses of Phosphorus include manufacture of fertilizers,detergents as well as matches to light

fires. phosphoric acid production also make use of phosphorus

Arsenic:

Arsenic is used in semiconductors and its alloys are used to manufacture bullets.

Antimony:

It is used in the production if batteries.

Bismuth

It is commonly used for manufacture of cosmetics and medicine as well as acrylic fibres.(Ref#4)

Group VIA-Chalcogens
Oxygen-In the blast furnaces, manufacture of steel and iron make use of oxygen.Liquid fuel in
rockets is also oxygen.other use is in welding.Thus oxygen is the essential element and
organisms require thus oxygen to live and breath.(Ref#5)

Sulfur- It is used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Matches and gunpowders also require
sulphur to manufacture. Other uses include manufacture of inorganic chemicals,fumigats and
glass.

Selenium:
Manufacture of paints,pigments,alloys,ceramics as well as solar cells, photo cells and
photocopiers make use of selenium. Anti-dandruff shampoos also require selenium in their
production.
Tellurium- This is used in color glass and manufacture of ceramics.It is sometimes combined
with other elements and thus used in semiconductor appliances.

Polonium- Its uses include elimination of static electricity in machinery. Polonium is

combined with beryllium to form neutron sources.(Ref#5)

Group VIIA-Halogens

Fluorine:
The most common use if fluorine is in Toothpaste.it’s presence in Toothpaste prevents the tooth
decay and makes teeth whiter.In PET imaging and PTFE synthesis, fluorine is used.
Chlorine:

For the purification of water, Chlorine is used that helps prevent cholera.it is also used in the
manufacture of plastics(like PVC) and paper from wood(bleaching). Different dyes and organic
solvents are made by using Chlorine

Bromine:
Different uses of Bromine are found in photography, in medicines, and synthesis of brominated
polymers that are flame resistant uses bromine.sometimes bromine is used to disinfect fresh
water as well.(Ref#6)
Iodine:
For testing ammonium ions (Nessler’s reagent), iodine is used as a locating agent.further uses
include as disinfectant, in medicines, iodine is good for eyesight therefore is used to make tablets
for cloud seeding etc.
Group VIIIA-Noble gases

The very inertness of the noble gases is an important feature of their practical uses.

Helium
In balloons and blimps helium gas is used because it is much lighter(dense) then air. In SCUBA,

which is the underground water breathing apparatus,a mixture of helium and oxygen gas is used.

Moreover it is used in electric art welding to provide an inert atmosphere.

The chemical processes that are carried out in the absence of air uses helium.

It’s chief scientific use is in cryogenics which is the science and art of producing very low
temperatures.The reason for this is that helium has the lowest boiling point of any known
substance.(Ref#7)

Neon

Neon is used in the ‘neon sign” used in advertisement. Thus it is used to make bulbs and lights
for the purpose of displaying and advertisement. Red glow us caused when electric current
passes through the neon gas under low pressure conditions.

Argon

One of the uses of argon is in filament bulbs because the metal filament will not burn in argon
(i.e., argon prevents the oxidation of the hot filament, thereby prolonging its life).. Argon is also
used in electric arc welding of metals by providing an inert atmosphere to these metallurgical
reactions

It is the cheapest of the noble gases to produce,therefore argon can be used whenever an inert
atmosphere is required.(Ref#7)

Krypton

krypton is used in fluorescent bulbs, flash bulbs and lasers. Lamps filled with krypton are used
at some airports as approach lights since their light can penetrate dense fog unusually well.

Xenon
In fluorescent light bulbs, flash bulbs and lasers Xenon is used. Due to its property to emit light
instantly, it is used by photographers in high speed electronic flash bulbs.

Radon

Radon which is a radioactive element is used in different medicines as a source of gamma rays.
These radon capsules are implanted in the body and help destroy tumors and cancerous cells.
(Ref#7)

Conclusion

P-blick elements that occupy group no IIIA to VIIIA of periodic table have many important
industrial and domestic applications.All the elements whether they are Metals or non-metals or
metalloids have different uses.For example oxygen present in the 6th group is extremely
important for living organisms. We breath with the help of oxygen.on the other hand
carbon,being in 4th group forms the basis of organic life.