The s-block elements are the 14 elements contained within these columns. All of the s-block elements are unified by the fact that their valence electrons (outermost electrons) are in ansorbital. Thesorbital is spherical and can be occupied by a maximum of two electrons. Elements in column 1 have one electron in thesorbital, and elements in column 2 (plus helium) have two electrons in thesorbital.

The s-block elements include hydrogen (H), helium (He), lithium (Li), beryllium (Be), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), cesium (Cs), barium (Ba), francium (Fr) and radium (Ra). The periodic table shows exactly where these elements are within the s-block.

Properties of S-Block Elements

If the elements were houses in our hypothetical s-block neighborhood, they would be very uniform, each one only slightly different than the other. This is markedly different compared to the other neighborhoods on the periodic table, which have a wider variety of houses in many shapes, sizes and colors.

All of the s-block elements are metals. In general, they are shiny, silvery, good conductors of heat and electricity and lose their valence electrons easily. In fact, they lose their trademarksorbital valence electrons so easily that the s-block elements are considered to be some of the most reactive elements on the periodic table.

The elements in column 1, known collectively as thealkali metals(except hydrogen), always lose their one valence electron to make a +1 ion. These metals are characterized by being silvery, very soft, not very dense and having low melting points. These metals react extremely vigorously with water and even oxygen to produce energy and flammable hydrogen gas. They are kept in mineral oil to reduce the chance of an unwanted reaction or worse, an unwanted explosion.The elements in column 2, known as thealkaline earth metals(except helium), always lose their two valence electrons to make a +2 ion. Like the alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals are silvery, shiny and relatively soft. Some of the elements in this column also react vigorously with water and must be stored carefully.

S-block elements are famous for being ingredients in fireworks. The ionic forms of potassium, strontium and barium make appearances in firework displays as the brilliant purples, reds and greens.Francium is considered to be the most rare naturally occurring element on earth. It is estimated that there is only ever one atom of Francium present on earth at a time. Francium has a very unstable nucleus and undergoes nuclear decay rapidly. As soon as it exists, it doesn't.