S-Block Elements are the first elements in the periodic table of elements. The two groups included in the S-Block elements are groups 1A and 2A. Group 1A consists of alkali metals, while group 2A consists of alkaline earth metals. A group is a column in the periodic table of elements. The metals in group 1A are called alkali metals because they react with water to from alkaline solutions. Alkali metals can easily lose a valence electron and become an ion with a 1+ charge. They are highly reactive and are often stored in oil so they cannot react with oxygen in the air. They also conduct heat and electricity very easily. The elements in group 1A are hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. Hydrogen does not have the same properties as the other metals in group 1A but is placed there because it has one valence electron. The reason these elements are so active is because they only have one valance electron, which leaves room for seven more to join with them. Group 2A elements, the alkaline earth metals, from compounds with oxygen. The oxides that are formed with these elements produce alkaline solutions when they react with water. Alkaline earth metals are hard solids that shine. They are less reactive than alkali metals because they have two valance electrons and that leaves room for only six others to be shared or given. They lose their two valance electrons to from ions with a 2+ charge. The elements included in group 2A are beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. These are the characteristics of the S-Block elements. .
P-Block Elements.
P-block elements consist of metals, metalloids, and nonmetals, solids and gasses. Groups 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A are all p-block elements. The elements in group 3A are boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium. They are usually found as oxides in the Earth's crust. Boron is the only metalloid and the other four elements are metals.