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The p-Block Elements

The p-Block Elements for Class 12 JEE and NEET, beyond the 2026–27 NCERT books: Groups 13 to 18, configuration, trends and the first element’s anomaly.

6 topics Updated 8 Nov 2026

For: JEE and NEET

In the syllabus: JEE Class 12 syllabus, NEET Class 12 syllabus

Learn in this order

  1. Group 13 elements: the boron family

    Configuration, oxidation states, inert pair effect, trends, properties, boron’s anomaly and examples.

    21 min read 4 solved examples 8 practice questions

  2. Group 14 elements: the carbon family

    Configuration, +4 and +2 states, inert pair effect, trends, oxides, halides and carbon’s anomaly.

    18 min read 4 solved examples 8 practice questions

  3. Group 15 elements: the nitrogen family

    Configuration, −3, +3, +5 states, trends, hydrides, oxides, halides and nitrogen’s anomaly.

    19 min read 4 solved examples 8 practice questions

  4. Group 16 elements: the oxygen family

    Configuration, −2 to +6 states, trends, hydrides, oxides, SF and oxygen’s anomaly.

    20 min read 4 solved examples 8 practice questions

  5. Group 17 elements: the halogens

    Configuration, oxidation states, trends, oxidising power, HX acids, interhalogens, fluorine’s anomaly.

    21 min read 4 solved examples 8 practice questions

  6. Group 18 elements: the noble gases

    Configuration, trends, low reactivity, xenon fluorides XeF, XeF, XeF, their shapes, XeO and helium.

    18 min read 4 solved examples 8 practice questions

Key formulas in this chapter

Group 13 elements

  • Valence configuration: ns np
  • 4Al + 3O → 2AlO
  • 2Al + 6HCl → 2AlCl + 3H
  • 2Al + 2NaOH + 6HO → 2Na[Al(OH)] + 3H
  • Stability of +1: Al < Ga < In < Tl
  • Maximum covalency of B: 4 ([BF])

Group 14 elements

  • Valence configuration: ns np
  • SiCl + 2HO → SiO + 4HCl
  • PbO + 4HCl → PbCl + Cl + 2HO
  • 2HgCl + SnCl → HgCl + SnCl
  • Stability of +2: Ge < Sn < Pb
  • Maximum covalency of C: 4

Group 15 elements

  • Valence configuration: ns np
  • Oxidation states: −3, +3, +5
  • Basic character: NH > PH > AsH > SbH > BiH
  • Bond angle: NH 107° > PH 93.5° > BiH 90.48°
  • Solid PCl: [PCl][PCl]
  • Maximum covalency of N: 4

Group 16 elements

  • Valence configuration: ns np
  • Oxidation states: −2, +2, +4, +6
  • Acid strength: HO < HS < HSe < HTe
  • Electron gain enthalpy (NCERT): S → Se → Te → Po → O, most negative first
  • SO(aq) + HO ⇌ H + HSO
  • Maximum covalency of O: 4

Group 17 elements

  • Valence configuration: ns np
  • Oxidising power: F > Cl > Br > I
  • Cl + 2Br → 2Cl + Br
  • 2F + 2HO → 4HF + O
  • Cl + 2OH → ClO + Cl + HO
  • Electron gain enthalpy (NCERT): Cl → F → Br → I (most negative first)
  • Acid strength: HF < HCl < HBr < HI
  • Acid strength: HClO < HClO < HClO < HClO

Group 18 elements

  • Valence configuration: ns np (He: 1s)
  • Xe + F → XeF
  • Xe + 2F → XeF
  • Xe + 3F → XeF
  • XeF + 3HO → XeO + 6HF
  • Oxidation states of Xe: +2, +4, +6, +8

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