Question

State the characteristics of s-block elements.

Answer 1

• The s-block contains the elements of group 1 (alkali metals) and group 2 (alkaline earth metals).
• They occur in nature only in combined state as they are reactive elements.
• Except Li and Be, compounds formed by all other s-block elements are predominantly ionic in nature.
• This is because they have only one or two valence electrons which they can lose readily forming M⁺ or M²⁺ ions.
• Since they can lose electrons easily, they have low ionization enthalpies, which decreases down the group resulting in increased reactivity.