Chemistry p-Block Elements Study Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the p-block elements of Groups 15, 16, 17, and 18, focusing on identification, nomenclature, and major industrial chemical processes.

Chile saltpetre

Sodium nitrate ($NaNO_3$), a naturally occurring mineral form of nitrogen found in the earth's crust.

Indian saltpetre

Potassium nitrate ($KNO_3$), a chemical compound occurring in the earth's crust as a source of nitrogen.

Fluorapatite

A mineral with the formula $Ca_9(PO_4)_6 \cdot CaF_2$, which is a main component of phosphate rocks.

Pnicogens

The collective name for the elements belonging to Group 15 of the periodic table, including Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Arsenic, Antimony, and Bismuth.

Bond Enthalpy of Dinitrogen

The extremely high energy required to break the triple bond in $N_2$, specifically recorded as $944\,kJ\,mol^{-1}$.

Haber’s Process

The industrial manufacture of ammonia ($NH_3$) by reacting dinitrogen and dihydrogen at $773\,K$ and $200 \times 10^5\,Pa$ in the presence of a catalyst.

Ostwald’s Process

The commercial method for the large-scale production of nitric acid ($HNO_3$) through the catalytic oxidation of ammonia by atmospheric oxygen.

Aqua-regia

A mixture of one part concentrated nitric acid and three parts concentrated hydrochloric acid, used for dissolving noble metals like gold and platinum.

White Phosphorus

A waxy, translucent solid allotrope of phosphorus consisting of tetrahedral $P_4$ molecules; it is extremely reactive and stored under water due to its low ignition temperature ($\approx 30^{\circ}C$).

Red Phosphorus

An amorphous, non-poisonous, and stable allotrope of phosphorus having an extended covalent polymeric structure and an iron-grey lustre.

Phosphine ($PH_3$)

A colourless, extremely poisonous gas with a rotten fish smell, used in Holme’s signals and smoke screens.

Chalcogens

The collective name for Group 16 elements, including Oxygen, Sulphur, Selenium, Tellurium, and Polonium.

Frasch Process

A industrial method used to extract native sulphur from underground deposits by using superheated water to melt it and force it to the surface.

Contact Process

The three-step industrial method for manufacturing sulphuric acid ($H_2SO_4$), involving the catalytic oxidation of $SO_2$ to $SO_3$ over a vanadium pentoxide ($V_2O_5$) catalyst.

Oleum

Also known as pyrosulphuric acid, with the formula $H_2S_2O_7$, formed by absorbing $SO_3$ in concentrated sulphuric acid.

Interhalogen Compounds

Covalent, diamagnetic compounds formed when two different halogens react with each other, resulting in formulas such as $XX'$, $XX'_3$, $XX'_5$, and $XX'_7$.

Noble Gases

Group 18 elements (Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, and Radon) characterized by a stable $ns^2 np^6$ electronic configuration and high ionisation enthalpies.

Transition Temperature (Sulphur)

The temperature of $369\,K$ at which both the yellow rhombic ($\alpha$-sulphur) and monoclinic ($\beta$-sulphur) forms of sulphur are stable.

Deacon’s Process

A commercial method for preparing chlorine ($Cl_2$) via the air oxidation of hydrochloric acid in the presence of a copper (II) chloride catalyst.

Allotropy

The property of some chemical elements to exist in two or more different forms, such as the various allotropes of phosphorus (white, red, black) and sulphur (rhombic, monoclinic).