NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry, Chapter 10 - The s-Block Elements

In this chapter, you’ll learn about the s-Block elements shown on the leftmost side of the periodic table. These elements are the most common and most used elements on earth. The s-bock consists of 14 elements such as hydrogen (H), lithium (Li), helium (He), sodium (Na), beryllium (Be), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), rubidium (Rb), calcium (Ca), cesium (Cs), strontium (Sr), francium (Fr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra). These elements are divided into two groups – Group 1 (the Alkali metals) and Group 2 (the Alkaline earth metals).

The group 1 elements have only one electron in their s-orbital and the group 2 elements have two electrons filling their s-orbital. All the s-block elements are metals, thus having shiny, soft, silvery texture. They are good conductors of heat as well as electricity. Also, they are one of the most reactive elements in the periodic table, losing their valence electrons easily, thus need to be stored carefully to avoid any unwanted explosion.

An in-depth study of Class 11 Chemistry NCERT Solutions Chapter 10 will give you a good understanding of the s-block elements and their characteristics.

Let’s take a look at topics and sub-topics of Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 – The s-Block Elements

10.1 Group 1 Elements: Alkali Metals

10.1.1 Electronic Configuration

10.1.2 Atomic and Ionic Radii

10.1.3 Ionization Enthalpy

10.1.4 Hydration Enthalpy

10.1.5 Physical Properties

10.1.6 Chemical Properties

10.1.7 Uses

10.2 General Characteristics of the Compounds of the Alkali Metals

10.2.1 Oxides and Hydroxides

10.2.2 Halides

10.2.3 Salts of Oxo-Acids

10.3 Anomalous Properties of Lithium

10.3.1 Points of Difference between Lithium and other Alkali Metals

10.3.2 Points of Similarities between Lithium and Magnesium

10.4 Some Important Compounds of Sodium

10.5 Biological Importance of Sodium and Potassium

10.6 Group 2 Elements: Alkaline Earth Metals

10.6.1 Electronic Configuration

10.6.2 Atomic and Ionic Radii

10.6.3 Ionization Enthalpies

10.6.4 Hydration Enthalpies

10.6.5 Physical Properties

10.6.6 Chemical Properties

10.6.7 Uses

10.7 General Characteristics of Compounds of the Alkaline Earth Metals

10.8 Anomalous Behaviour of Beryllium

10.8.1 Diagonal Relationship between Beryllium and Aluminium

10.9 Some Important Compounds of Calcium

10.10 Biological Importance of Magnesium and Calcium

In Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10, you will learn –

Section 10.1 – In this section, you’ll learn what Group 1 elements are, that is, the Alkali metals. You’ll learn about the Electronic Configuration, Atomic and Ionic Radii, Ionization Enthalpy, Hydration Enthalpy, Physical and Chemical Properties and finally the uses of alkali elements.

Section 10.2 – This section deals with the general characteristics of the compounds of the Alkali Metals along with their oxides, hydroxides, halides and salts of oxo-acids.

Section 10.3 – In this section, you’ll learn about the anomalous behaviour of lithium, how lithium is different from other alkali metals, and how lithium is similar to magnesium.

Section 10.4 – This section of the chapter will tell you about industrially important compounds of sodium such as sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. You’ll also study the large scale production of these compounds and their uses.

Section 10.5 –You’ll learn about the biological significance of sodium and potassium n section 10.5.

Section 10.6 –As you move to this section, you will study about Group 2 elements, also known as the Alkaline Earth Metals. These elements consist of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium. Except for beryllium, all others are known as the alkaline earth metals. You’ll also come across the Electronic Configuration, Atomic and Ionic Radii, Ionization Enthalpies, Hydration Enthalpies, physical and chemical properties and uses of these metals.

Section 10.7 – In this section, you’ll observe some general features of compounds of alkali earth metals such as Oxides and Hydroxides, Halides and Salts of Oxoacids.

Section 10.8 – In this section, you’ll learn about Beryllium in detail; such as its anomalous behaviour as compared to magnesium and rest of the members and its diagonal relationship to aluminium showing some similarity between Beryllium and aluminium.

Section 10.9 – This section deals with some significant compounds of calcium such as calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulphate, calcium carbonate and cement and their day to day uses.

Section 10.10 – In this section, you’ll learn about the biological significance of sodium and potassium.

In this chapter, you are provided with several examples with their solutions for a clear understanding of The s-Block Elements. To know more about NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10, you should explore the exercises mentioned in this chapter. You can also download the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 PDF, solved by our science experts.