p-block metals of the periodic table
Post-transition metals are a group of metallic elements in the p-block, located after transition metals in the periodic table. They include aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, tin, lead, and bismuth. They are softer than transition metals and have lower melting points.
Read in glossaryGallium melts from hand warmth — its melting point is only 29.8°C
Aluminum is the third most abundant element in Earth's crust after oxygen and silicon
Lead is still used in car batteries
Indium is essential for smartphone touchscreens
Bismuth is used in stomach medicines (Pepto-Bismol)
Post-transition metals have filled d-orbitals and valence electrons on p-orbitals. This makes them less reactive than alkali or alkaline earth metals.
Post-transition metals are moderately reactive. Aluminum forms a protective oxide layer, tin is corrosion-resistant, and lead slowly reacts with air.
| Element | Z | Mass u | M.P. °C | B.P. °C | ρ г/см³ | EN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Al Aluminum | 13 | 26.98 ▼ | 660 ▲ | 2519 | 2.70 ▼ | 1.61 ▼ |
Ga Gallium | 31 | 69.72 | 30 ▼ | 2204 | 5.91 | 1.81 |
In Indium | 49 | 114.82 | 157 | 2072 | 7.31 | 1.78 |
Sn Tin | 50 | 118.71 | 232 | 2602 ▲ | 7.26 | 1.96 |
Tl Thallium | 81 | 204.38 | 304 | 1473 | 11.85 | 1.62 |
Pb Lead | 82 | 207.00 | 327 | 1749 | 11.34 | 2.33 ▲ |
Bi Bismuth | 83 | 208.98 | 272 | 1564 | 9.78 | 2.02 |
Nh Nihonium | 113 | 286.18 | 427 | 1127 | 16.00 ▲ | — |
Fl Flerovium | 114 | 290.19 | 67 | 147 ▼ | 14.00 | — |
Mc Moscovium | 115 | 290.20 | 397 | 1127 | 13.50 | — |
Lv Livermorium | 116 | 293.20 ▲ | 436 | 812 | 12.90 | — |
The name 'post-transition metals' indicates their position in the periodic table — after transition metals. They are also called 'poor metals' due to lower reactivity and softness compared to other metals.
Lead and tin were among the first metals used by humanity
Hans Christian Ørsted first isolated aluminum, which was then more expensive than gold
Discovery of gallium confirmed the validity of the periodic law
First isolated pure aluminum
Discovered gallium, confirming Mendeleev's prediction of 'eka-aluminum'