Frequently Asked Question

Non-transition elements, also known as main group elements, are found in groups 1, 2, 13-18 of the periodic table. They exhibit a wide range of properties and reactivities. Here are some general characteristics:

Electronic Configuration: They have valence electrons in s and p orbitals, which are involved in chemical bonding.
Metallic Character: Elements in groups 1 and 2 are highly metallic, while those in groups 13-18 exhibit a gradual transition from metallic to non-metallic.
Reactivity: Their reactivity depends on factors like ionization energy, electronegativity, and electron affinity.
Oxidation States: They tend to have fixed oxidation states, often determined by their group number.
Special Features of Individual Elements:

Group 1 (Alkali Metals): Soft, silvery, highly reactive metals that readily form +1 ions.
Group 2 (Alkaline Earth Metals): Similar to alkali metals but less reactive, forming +2 ions.
Group 13 (Boron Group): Boron is a metalloid, while the others are metals. They exhibit a variety of oxidation states.
Group 14 (Carbon Group): Includes carbon, a crucial element for organic chemistry, and silicon, used in electronics.
Group 15 (Nitrogen Group): Nitrogen is a crucial component of the atmosphere. Phosphorus is used in fertilizers and matches.
Group 16 (Oxygen Group): Oxygen is essential for respiration. Sulfur is used in vulcanization.
Group 17 (Halogens): Highly reactive non-metals that readily form -1 ions.
Group 18 (Noble Gases): Colorless, odorless, and unreactive gases with filled electron shells.
Study Material:

Inorganic Chemistry Textbooks: General Chemistry by Petrucci, Harwood, and Herring, Inorganic Chemistry by Housecroft and Sharpe, etc.
Online Resources: Khan Academy, Chemistry LibreTexts, etc.
Journal Articles: Search for relevant research articles in journals like
Inorganic Chemistry
,
Journal of the American Chemical Society
, etc.