P-block elements

[Esther Ahn 4I]

I was just wondering how you would know what p-block element gains its electrons and what p-block element loses its electrons. Does it just depend on the element?

[Joon Chang 2F]

In the p-block, the metals form cations by losing their valence electrons and the nonmetals form anions by gaining enough valence electrons to fill their p-orbital.

[Tony Ong 3K]

Normally, the ones with less than 4 valence electrons loses its electrons while the ones over 4 valence electrons want to gain electrons. Both want to fulfill the octet rule in the least possible manner of gaining or losing electrons possible if that makes sense.

[Abbey Brandt 1K]

The following is taken from an extremely useful chemistry article that explains how p-block elements differ from the others we learn about. I hope this helps:

The difference in inner core of elements greatly influences their physical properties (such as atomic and ionic radii, ionisation enthalpy, etc.) as well as chemical properties. Consequently, a lot of variation in properties of elements in a group of p-block is observed. The maximum oxidation state shown by a p-block element is equal to the total number of valence electrons (i.e., the sum of the s- and p-electrons). Clearly, the number of possible oxidation states increases towards the right of the periodic table. In addition to this so called group oxidation state, p-block elements may show other oxidation states which normally, but not necessarily, differ from the total number of valence electrons by unit of two.