Variation in Physical Properties

of s-Block elements


Variation in
atomic / ionic radius.
ionization enthalpy
hydration enthalpy
melting point.
Group
I
[X]ns
1
Li
Na
K
Rb
Cs
s-Block elements
Group
I
Group
II
[X]ns
1
[X]ns
2
Li Be
Na Mg
K Ca
Rb Sr
Cs Ba
They are called s-block
elements because their
outermost electron(s) is /are in
the s-orbitals.
They are all metals (alkali
metals, alkaline earth metals).
They are very reactive.
Most of them have
characteristic flame colour.
Variation in atomic and ionic radii

Li Be
Na Mg
K Ca
Rb Sr
Cs Ba
Trends in atomic/ionic radius
increases
increase of e
-
shells
decreases
increase of effective nuclear charge
Trends in atomic/ionic radius
1) Ionic radii of Gp I and II elements is always
smaller than its atomic radii.
Reason: The cation formed M
+
or M
2+
has one
electron shell less than the atom, thus size is
smaller.
2) Atomic and ionic radii increase down a
group.
Reason: There is one more shell of inner core
e
-
than its group predecessor.
Comparing atomic radii of Group
I and II in the same period

Atomic radius of Group I > Group II.
Reason:
Group II atoms have higher effective
nuclear charges, and the outer s-electrons do
not screen each other effectively, Group
II atoms have higher effective nuclear
charges, the e
-
are pulled stronger inward.
Conclusion:

S-Block elements have relatively
large atomic radii amongst the
elements of the same period
because of their
small effective nuclear charge

Variation in Ionization Enthalpy
Variation in Ionization Enthalpy
Li Be
Na Mg
K Ca
Rb Sr
Cs Ba
Trends in ionization enthalpy
decreases
atomic radius increases
outer e
-
are further out
and better shielded from the nucleus
increases
nuclear charge / ENC increases
1) Both Gp I and II metals have low first and
second ionization enthalpy respectively
Reson: Their outer s-electrons are well shielded
from the nucleus by inner shells of electrons.

2) I.E. decrease as both groups are descended
Reason: As the atomic radius increases down
both groups, the outer electrons are further out
and better shielded from the nucleus.
Trends in I.E.
Conclusion:
S-block metals have generally low first I.E.
among the elements on the same period.
Hydration enthalpy
Hydration enthalpy is the energy released
when one mole of aqueous ions is formed
from its ions in gaseous state .
e.g. M
n+
(g) + aq M
n+
(aq) H = -ve
or Y
n-
(g) + aq Y
n-
(aq) H = -ve
Variation in Hydration Enthalpy of Gp I
metal ions (always exothermic)
Variation in Hydration Enthalpy of Gp II
metal ions (always exothermic)
Li
+
Be
2+
Na
+
Mg
2+
K
+
Ca
2+
Rb
+
Sr
2+
Cs
+
Ba
2+
Trends in hydration enthalpy
decreases
ion gets larger,
charge density falls
increases
ion gets higher charge but smaller size,
charge density increases
Trends
1) On going down both Groups I and II, the
hydration enthalpies of the cations decrease in
magnitude (less ve).
Reason: As the ions get larger down the group, the
charge density of cations decrease, thus the
electrostatic interaction between the polar water
molecules and ions get less.
2) Group II cations have higher in magnitude
(more ve) hydration enthalpies than group I
cations.
Reason: Gp II ions have higher charge and smaller
size, thus their charge density is higher.
Variation in Melting Point
Li Be
Na Mg
K Ca
Rb Sr
Cs Ba
Trends in Melting Point
decreases
ionic radius increases
e
-
cloud becomes more diffuse
weaker attraction between e
-
and the ion
increases
2 e
-
per atom participate
in metallic bond for Group II,
1 e
-
for Group I metals
Trends
1) The melting points of the elements are found
to decrease generally down each group.
Reason: As go down each group, the ionic size
increases, thus the metallic bond strength
decreases.
2) The m.pt. of group II metals are generally
higher than group I metals in the same period.
Reason:Greater no. of valence electrons and
smaller ionic size of gp II metals increase the
metallic bond strength.
Reason: It is partly due to differences in
crystal structure of the metals
Group I element Structure Group II element Structure
Li
Na
K
Rb
Cs
b.c.c.
b.c.c.
b.c.c.
b.c.c.
b.c.c.
Be
Mg
Ca
Sr
Ba
h.c.p.
h.c.p.
f.c.c.
f.c.c.
b.c.c.
Changes in Group II are irregular
Flame Tests
for Group I and II compounds
When salts of Group I and II elements are
brought into a hot flame, some M
+
/M
2+
gain
e
-
momentarily to form atoms.
The electrons of this atoms in the outermost
shell of M may also be excited to a higher
energy level in the flame.
When the electron drops back to its original
position it gives out the energy it obtained
during excitation.
Flame Tests
for Group I and II compounds
The energy is released in the form of
light
E = h
It appears as visible light giving the
characteristic flame colourations.
Characteristic flame colours of
Group I and II compounds
Group I Flame colour Group II Flame colour
Li crimson Be no characteristic colour
Na yellow Mg no characteristic colour
K lilac Ca brick red
Rb red Sr crimson
Cs blue Ba apple green
How to carry out flame tests?
Pt wire is first cleaned of any impurities by
dipping it into conc. HCl solution
heating it in a non-luminous Bunsen flames till no
flame colour is detected
the clean wire is then dipped in to a fresh clean
portion of conc HCl again, and then into a small
sample of powdered compound whose flame colour
is to be determined.


Lilac flame of potassium
Golden yellow flame of sodium
Brick-red flame of calcium
Apple green flame of barium