How many groups belong to the s-block of the periodic table ?

Options

A. Twelve
B. Two
C. Six
D. Ten

Answer

B

Explanation

There are only two groups of s-block elements because an s-subshell has only one s-orbital which can accommodate only two electrons with opposite spins according to Pauli's principle. They are group I ( or IA) and group 2 (or IIA). Elements of these groups contain one or two `e^(-)`s in their outermost s-subshelll while all the inner subshells are completely filled. Thus, the electronic configurations are represented as [noble gas] `ns^(1)` for group I and [noble gas ] `ns^(2)` for group 2 elements.