--%>

Explanation of oxygen family.

Group 16 of periodic table contains five elements namely, oxygen (O), sulphur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te) and polonium (Po). These are collectively known as chalcogens or ore forming elements because many metal ores occur as oxides and sulphides. These elements belong to p-block. The first four members of group 16 are non-metals. Polonium has metallic character and is a radioactive element with a very short period.

Oxygen, the most abundant element, is a vital element of atmosphere and ocean. It composes 46.6% of earth's crust. It forms about 21% of air as the free element and 89% of the ocean by weight. Sulphur is less abundant and occurs about 0.052% of the earth's crust. Sulphur is also referred as Brim stone. The name sulphur is derived from Sanskrit word 'Sulveri' which means 'killer of copper'. Compared to oxygen and sulphur the other members of this group are rare.

Atoms of these elements have outer electronic configuration as ns2np4, where n varies from 2 to 6. The electronic configurations of the elements of group 16 are shown in the table below:

Elements

At. No.

Electronic configuration

Abundance in earth's crust (ppm)

Oxygen (O)

8

[He] 2s2 2p4

4.66 × 105

Sulphur (S)

16

[Ne] 3s2 3p4

5.20 × 102

Selenium (Se)

34

[Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p4

9.0 × 10-2

Tellurium (Te)

52

[Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p4

2 × 10-3

Polonium (Po)

84

[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p4

-


The four p-electrons of the outermost shell are arranged as px2 py1 pz1. Thus, there are two half-filled p-orbitals which are used for bonding with other elements. From the similar outer electronic configuration of these elements, it is expected that they will show similar physical and chemical properties.

Oxygen the first member of this group has very high ionization energy (1314 kJ mol-1and differs markedly from other members of the family.

Oxygen, on the other hand, is found to exhibit remarkable resemblance with its neighbours, nitrogen and fluorine. For example, it forms strong pπ-pπ bond like nitrogen. Also it forms hydrogen bonds like nitrogen and fluorine.

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Concentration of Calcium carbonate Help

    Help me to go through this problem. 1000 gms aqueous solution of CaCO3 contains 10 gms of carbonate. Concentration of the solution is : (a)10 ppm (b)100 ppm (c)1000 ppm (d)10000 ppm

  • Q : Simulate the column in HYSYS The

    The objective of this work is to separate a binary mixture and to cool down the bottom product for storage. (Check table below to see which mixture you are asked to study). 100 kmol of feed containing 10 mol percent of the lighter component enters a continuous distillation column at the m

  • Q : Problem on reversible process a. For a

    a. For a reversible process involving ideal gases in a closed system, Illustrate thatΔS = Cv ln(T2/T1) for a constant volume process ΔS = Cp ln(T2/T1) for a constant pressu

  • Q : What is Ideal Mixtures Ideal mixing

    Ideal mixing properties can be recognized in the formation of an ideal gas mixture from ideal gases. Consider the formation of a mixture of gases i.e. a gaseous solution, from two mixtures of pure gases. A useful characterization of an ideal mixture, or soluti

  • Q : Examples of reversible reaction

    Describe some examples of a reversible reaction?

  • Q : Colligative properties give atleast two

    give atleast two application of following colligative properties

  • Q : Explain Solid Compound Formation. In

    In some two component, solid liquid systems, a solid compound forms.In systems in which the components have an interaction for such other, a solid state compound of the two compounds of the two components can form.Formic acid and formaide form a solid state, one-to-one com

  • Q : Modes of concentration Which of the

    Which of the given modes of expressing concentration is fully independent of temperature: (1) Molarity (2) Molality (3) Formality (4) Normality Choose the right answer from above.

  • Q : Colligative property problem Which is

    Which is not a colligative property: (a) Refractive index (b) Lowering of vapour pressure (c) Depression of freezing point (d) Elevation of boiling point    

  • Q : The Liver Is Responsible For Much Of

    The Liver Is Responsible For Much Of The Pentose Phosphate Activity Explain