The elements of the periodic table are classified into four blocks based on the subshell in which the highest-energy electron resides. These blocks are named s, p, d, and f.
s Block: The s block consists of elements in which the outermost electron occupies the s orbital. These elements are characterized by their alkali and alkaline earth metals. The s-block elements are in groups 1 and 2 of the periodic table.
Examples: Hydrogen (H), Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), etc.
p Block: The p block consists of elements in which the outermost electron occupies the p orbital. These elements include the nonmetals, metalloids, and some metals. The p-block elements are found in groups 13 through 18 of the periodic table.
Examples: Boron (B), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Fluorine (F), Neon (Ne), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S), Chlorine (Cl), Argon (Ar), etc.
d Block: The d block consists of elements in which the outermost electron occupies the d orbital. These elements are often referred to as transition metals. They are found in groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table.
Examples: Scandium (Sc), Titanium (Ti), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Silver (Ag), Gold (Au), etc.
f Block: The f block consists of elements in which the outermost electron occupies the f orbital. These elements are referred to as inner transition metals. The f-block elements are typically placed below the main body of the periodic table.
Examples: Lanthanum (La), Cerium (Ce), Praseodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd), Promethium (Pm), Samarium (Sm), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), Holmium (Ho), Erbium (Er), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb), Lutetium (Lu), Actinium (Ac), Thorium (Th), Protactinium (Pa), Uranium (U), Neptunium (Np), Plutonium (Pu), Americium (Am), Curium (Cm), Berkelium (Bk), Californium (Cf), Einsteinium (Es), Fermium (Fm), Mendelevium (Md), Nobelium (No), Lawrencium (Lr).
These blocks are named according to the types of orbitals that are being filled with electrons in the ground state of the element.