Blocks: s, p, d, f
Part of the Atomic Structure section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 31 of 45.
A block is named after the subshell the last electron goes into: sodium ends 3s¹ (s-block), chlorine 3p⁵ (p-block), iron 3d⁶ (d-block).
A block is as wide as its subshell holds electrons: s two columns (groups 1, 2), p six (groups 13 to 18), d ten (groups 3 to 12). Helium, 1s², is an s-block element sitting over group 18.
The four blocks
An f subshell holds 14 electrons. The f-block is printed as the two rows under the table, the lanthanides and actinides, so the table fits on a page.
Challenge
Paint periods 5 and 6 from rubidium to lutetium by block, the f-block row included.
Try it yourself
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Atomic Structure
1Matter and Atoms
What Everything Is Made OfElements, Compounds, MixturesChemical SymbolsCounting Atoms in a FormulaRecap - Molecule Kit2Models of the Atom
Dalton and ThomsonRutherford's Gold FoilThe Nuclear AtomBohr's ShellsRecap - From Ball to Nucleus5The Periodic Table
Mendeleev's PuzzleGroups and PeriodsBlocks: s, p, d, fMetals, Non-metals, MetalloidsAlkali MetalsHalogensNoble GasesRecap - Build the Table