Group 16 Elements
The elements oxygen (O), sulphur (S), selenium (Se),
tellurium (Te) and polonium (Po) belong to group 16
of the Periodic Table. These elements are known as chalcogens,
i.e., ore
forming elements.
Oxygen and Sulphur are non-metals, selenium and
tellurium are metalloids, whereas polonium is a metal.
Occurrence of
group 16 elements
The initial four elements of the group are
together termed as chalcogens or ore-forming
elements. This is because an extensive number of metal ores are found
in the earth’s crust as sulfides or oxides.
Oxygen is the most plenteous element that is
accessible in nature. It shapes 20.946% of air by volume and 46.6% of the
world’s mass generally as silicates and different compounds like carbonates,
oxides, and sulfates.
The vast majority of the oxygen in the air is
delivered by photosynthesis in plants. It additionally occurs as ozone.
Sulfur is the sixteenth most inexhaustible
element. Sulfur in its combined state is found in
ores.
Electronic Configuration
The general electronic configuration of group 16 elements is ns2np4.
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