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Some p-Block Elements (Groups 13 and 14)

Some p-Block Elements (Groups 13 and 14)NEET Chemistry · Class 11 · NCERT Chapter 12

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2 interactive concept widgets for Some p-Block Elements (Groups 13 and 14). Drag any slider, change any number, and watch the formula and the answer update live. Built so you understand how each NEET problem actually works, not just the final number.

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p-Block oxide nature predictor (acidic/basic/amphoteric)
Allotropes of carbon and phosphorus: property comparison + quiz

Oxide nature predictor

Select any p-block element and see whether its highest oxide is acidic, basic, amphoteric, or neutral. Includes equations with water, NaOH, and HCl.

p-Block elements

Oxide nature predictor

Select a p-block element (Groups 13-14, periods 2-6) to see its highest oxide, nature (acidic/basic/amphoteric), and reactions. Includes inert pair effect.

Select a p-block element to see its highest oxide formula, nature (acidic/basic/amphoteric), and reactions with acid and base.

B
Al
Ga
C
Si
Ge
Sn
Pb

Highest oxide

Al₂O₃

amphoteric

Oxidation state

+3

Al₂O₃ (alumina) is the classic amphoteric oxide. Reacts with both acids and bases. Used in preparation of aluminium metal (Hall-Heroult process).

With acid

Al₂O₃ + 6HCl → 2AlCl₃ + 3H₂O

With base

Al₂O₃ + 2NaOH → 2NaAlO₂ + H₂O

Trend in oxide nature (Groups 13 and 14)

Group 13: B₂O₃ (acidic) → Al₂O₃ (amphoteric) → Ga₂O₃ (amphoteric) → In₂O₃, Tl₂O₃ (basic)
Group 14: CO₂ (acidic) → SiO₂ (acidic) → GeO₂ (amphoteric) → SnO₂ (amphoteric) → PbO (basic)
General rule: Acid → Amphoteric → Basic going down a group (increasing metallic character).
Inert pair effect: Heavier elements prefer lower oxidation states (+2 over +4 for Pb; +1 over +3 for Tl).

Try this

  • Al₂O₃ is the most important amphoteric oxide for NEET. It reacts with HCl (forms AlCl₃) and NaOH (forms NaAlO₂).
  • CO is a NEUTRAL oxide (does not form an acid or base with water). CO₂ is acidic. NO is neutral, NO₂ is acidic.
  • PbO is basic (+2 state due to inert pair). PbO₂ (+4 state) is more acidic. Inert pair effect: the 6s² electrons remain non-bonding in heavier p-block elements.

Allotropes explorer

Compare allotropes of carbon (diamond, graphite, fullerene, graphene) and phosphorus (white, red, black) across hybridization, conductivity, stability, and uses. Then take a 5-question quiz.

p-Block elements

Allotropes explorer

Compare allotropes of carbon (diamond, graphite, fullerene, graphene) and phosphorus (white, red, black). Then take a 5-question quiz.

Diamond
Graphite
Fullerene (C₆₀)
Graphene

Diamond

Colourless/transparent | 3.51 g/cm³

Hybridization

sp³

Hardness

Hardest natural substance (10 Mohs)

Electrical conductivity

Insulator (no free electrons)

Thermodynamic stability

Thermodynamically less stable than graphite (ΔGf > 0) but kinetically stable

Structure

3D tetrahedral network — each C bonded to 4 others. Giant covalent lattice.

Uses

Jewellery, cutting tools, abrasives

Try this

  • Diamond is insulator (sp³, no free electrons); graphite is conductor (sp², delocalized pi). Both are pure carbon.
  • White phosphorus is toxic and ignites spontaneously in air. Red phosphorus is stable and used in safety matches.
  • Fullerene C₆₀ has exactly 12 pentagons (always, to close a sphere) and 20 hexagons.

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