Question

What is the difference between 's' and 'p' block elements and representative elements? Why are they called so? Give the general electronic configuration of these elements.

Answer 1

'S' block elements are metals whereas most of the 'p' block are non-metals. They are called representative elements because they have well-known elements in the periodic table.

The general electronic configuration of s-block elements are:

$n{s}^{1-2}$

The general electronic configuration of p-block elements are:

$n{s}^{2}n{p}^{1-6}$