Chemistry’s Building Blocks: Group 13 Elements of the P Block

by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023

Chemistry’s Building Blocks: Group 13 Elements of the P Block

Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the structure, composition, and properties of substances. At the heart of chemistry is the periodic table which contains all known elements. These elements form the foundation on which much of chemistry is built upon. One of the most important groups of elements is the Group 13 of the p-block, also referred to as the boron family.

What Is the p-block?

The p-block is one of the main four blocks of the periodic table. It is a group of elements located on the right side of the table in the 18th group. All of the elements in the p-block have outer shells (valence shells) which contain six electrons. As a result, these elements are referred to as having a valence of six and are highly reactive.

Group 13 – The Boron Family

The boron family is a group of elements which are located in the thirteenth group of the p-block. It includes elements with atomic numbers from 13 (aluminium) to 31 (gallium). All of these elements have similar properties, such as having a valence of six. Additionally, they tend to form polyatomic anions (molecules composed of 2 or more atoms) with a charge of -3.

Uses Of Group 13 Elements

The boron family is found in a variety of everyday items. For example, aluminium (atomic number 13) is a widely used metal in the construction industry. Furthermore, aluminium foil is commonly used to package food. Aluminium’s lighter-weight properties make it ideal for aircraft construction.

Gallium (atomic number 31) is frequently found in the production of LEDs (light emitting diodes). These are used in a wide variety of electronics, including computers and cell phones. Additionally, gallium is a valuable component in pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics.

Indium (atomic number 49) is used in a number of technologies such as LCD (liquid crystal display) screens. Additionally, indium is used for producing low-friction coatings and high-performance lubricants.

Thallium (atomic number 81) is primarily used in research, as it is highly toxic. Despite this, it is still used in the production of low-melting alloys and glasses, as well as industrial radiography.

Summary of the Group 13 Elements

The following table provides a brief overview of the elements in the boron family:

Conclusion

The boron family of elements is made up of 13 elements located in the p-block of the periodic table. These elements are highly reactive due to their valence of six and tend to form polyatomic anions with a charge of -3. The elements are found in a variety of everyday items and products, such as aluminium foil, LEDs, and LCD displays.