The P block Elements NEET Notes 2026 Exam

The p-block notes for NEET are the backbone of Inorganic Chemistry, accounting for around 3-4 questions every year. The problem for Class 11 and 12 students is the number of reactions and the "exceptions" that Google-friendly snippets just can't get enough of. This block is special in that it holds all three kinds of elements: metals, non-metals, and metalloids.

As we get closer to the 2026 exam, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the new syllabus. Although some versions of the NCERT syllabus have made sense of some parts, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has kept p-block elements as a high-weightage topic. These notes will give you a systematic way of understanding the Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Halogen, and Noble Gas series, so you don't miss the fine trends that tend to come up in "Statement-type" questions.

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General Characteristics of P-Block Elements

The p-block consists of elements from Group 13 to Group 18. Their properties are defined by the filling of the outermost p-orbital.

• General Electronic Configuration: The valence shell configuration is ns2 np1–6 (except Helium, which is 1s2).

• Oxidation States: These elements show variable oxidation states. For heavier elements, the oxidation state two units less than the group oxidation state becomes more stable due to the Inert Pair Effect.

• Atomic Radii: Generally decreases across a period and increases down a group.

• Ionisation Enthalpy: Increases across a period but decreases down the group due to the increase in atomic size.

Group 13: The Boron Family

The Boron family is often the starting point for P block notes for NEET class 11. It includes Boron (B), Aluminium (Al), Gallium (Ga), Indium (In), and Thallium (Tl).

Key Trends and Anomalies

• Atomic Radius: Interestingly, the atomic radius of Gallium (135 pm) is smaller than Aluminium (143 pm). This is due to the poor shielding effect of the 10 d-electrons in Gallium.

• Ionisation Enthalpy: The trend is not regular. It decreases from B to Al but increases slightly for Ga due to poor d-electron shielding.

• Diborane (B2H6): A popular NEET topic. It features two 3-centre-2-electron (3c-2e) bonds, also known as "banana bonds."

Group 14: The Carbon Family

This group contains Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Tin (Sn), and Lead (Pb). It is essential for understanding both inorganic and organic foundations.

Important Properties

• Catenation: Carbon has a unique ability to form long chains and rings (catenation) because of its high C-C bond enthalpy.

• Allotropes of Carbon: * Diamond: Sp3 hybridised, hardest natural substance, three-dimensional network.

• Graphite: Sp2 hybridised, conducts electricity, layered structure held by van der Waals forces.

• Fullerenes: C60 (Buckminsterfullerene) has a cage-like "soccer ball" structure.

• Oxidation States: Carbon and Silicon mainly show +4, while Lead (Pb) is more stable in the +2 state due to the inert pair effect.

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Group 15: The Nitrogen Family (Pnictogens)

Including Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb), and Bismuth (Bi), this group is famous for its diverse hydrides and oxides.

Hydrides of Group 15

The stability and basicity of hydrides follow a strict trend that is frequently tested in NEET:

1. Stability: NH3 > PH3 > AsH3 > SbH3 > BiH3 (decreases down the group).

2. Reducing Character: BiH3 is the strongest reducing agent in the group.

3. Basicity: NH3 (most basic) > PH3 > AsH3 > SbH3 > BiH3.

Group 16: The Oxygen Family (Chalcogens)

Oxygen (O), Sulphur (S), Selenium (Se), Tellurium (Te), and Polonium (Po).

• Anomalous Behaviour of Oxygen: Due to its small size and high electronegativity, oxygen forms H-bonds (e.g., in H2O), making it a liquid while H2S is a gas.

• Electron Gain Enthalpy: Sulphur has a more negative electron gain enthalpy than Oxygen because of the inter-electronic repulsions in the small oxygen atom.

• Oxoacids of Sulphur: Pay close attention to the structures of H2SO4, H2SO3, and H2S2O8 (Marshall’s Acid) for oxidation state questions.

Group 17: The Halogen Family

Halogens (F, Cl, Br, I, At) are highly electronegative and reactive non-metals.

• Bond Dissociation Enthalpy: The order is Cl2 > Br2 > F2 > I2. Fluorine's bond enthalpy is lower than Chlorine's due to the high inter-electronic repulsion between lone pairs in the small F2 molecule.

• Oxidising Power: Fluorine is the strongest oxidising agent among all halogens.

• Interhalogen Compounds: Compounds like ClF3, BrF5, and IF7 are more reactive than the parent halogens (except F2) because the X-X' bond is weaker than the X-X bond.

Group 18: The Noble Gases

Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), and Radon (Rn).

• Chemical Inertness: Their full valence shell (ns2 np6) makes them chemically stable.

• Xenon Fluorides: XeF2 (Linear), XeF4 (Square Planar), and XeF6 (Distorted Octahedral) are critical for VSEPR theory questions.

• Uses: Helium is used in oxygen cylinders for deep-sea divers due to its low solubility in blood.

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Crucial Study Tips for P Block Notes for NEET 2026

To master this chapter, students should download the P block notes for NEET pdf and focus on the following high-yield areas:

1. Inert Pair Effect: This explains why Tl+ is more stable than Tl3+ and Pb2+ is more stable than Pb4+.

2. Structures: Practice the structures of PCl5, SF6, and Xenon fluorides.

3. Anomalous Properties: Always know why the first element of each group (B, C, N, O, F) differs from its siblings.

4. Reaction Mapping: Use a flowchart to connect the preparations of NH3 (Haber’s Process) and HNO3 (Ostwald’s Process).

Read More: NEET Handwritten Revision Notes PDF with Solutions

The P block Elements NEET Notes FAQs

1. Why is the +2 oxidation state of Lead more stable than +4?

This is due to the Inert Pair Effect, where the s-orbital electrons (6s2) do not participate in bonding because of poor shielding by d and f electrons. This is a vital concept in P block notes for NEET 2026.

2. Which is the strongest reducing agent among Group 15 hydrides?

The strongest reducing agent is BiH3 because the Bismuth-Hydrogen bond is very weak since the Bismuth atom is very large.

3. Why is the bond enthalpy of F2 less than Cl2?

Fluorine is a very small atom, so the repulsions between the lone pairs of the two Fluorine atoms are very high. This makes the Fluorine-Fluorine bond weaker than the Chlorine-Chlorine bond.

4. What are the key topics in P block notes for NEET class 11?

The Class 11 part mainly deals with Group 13 (Boron Family) and Group 14 (Carbon Family), which includes trends in atomic radii, the structure of Diborane, and the allotropes of Carbon.

5. How many questions are expected from p block in NEET 2026?

On average, there are 3-4 questions from p-block elements, so it is a high-weightage chapter for the P block notes for NEET.