<P> A block of the periodic table of elements is a set of adjacent groups . The term appears to have been first used by Charles Janet . The respective highest - energy electrons in each element in a block belong to the same atomic orbital type . Each block is named after its characteristic orbital; thus, the blocks are: </P> <Ul> <Li> s - block </Li> <Li> p - block </Li> <Li> d - block </Li> <Li> f - block </Li> <Li> g - block (hypothetical) </Li> </Ul> <Li> s - block </Li> <Li> p - block </Li>

What does each block of the periodic table represent