In your own words, explain why each of the filler blocks (s, p,d, f) on the periodic chart have their characteristic width(number) of groups.

Each of the four blocks of the periodic table is the collection of elements that have common valence orbitals, or that their valence are found in one of the four orbitals with azimuthal quantum number 0, 1, 2, or 3 which corresponds to the shape (s), principal (p), diffuse (d), or fundamental (f) orbitals respectively

The maximum number of electrons in the s-orbital = 2 electrons

The maximum number of electrons in the p-orbital = 6 electrons

The maximum number of electrons in the d-block = 10 electrons

The maximum number of electrons in the f-orbital = 14 electrons

Therefore, given that the elements of the within each of the blocks have their valence electron in the corresponding orbital in which they are located on the periodic table, given the periodic nature of the periodic table, the width of each block of elements corresponds to the maximum number of elements that can be found in their valence orbital.

Therefore, we have;

The width of the s-block elements = 2 block units

The width of the p-block elements = 6 block units

The width of the d-block elements = 10 block units

The width of the f-block elements = 14 block units

Explanation:

alkaline metals are lithium, sodium, rubidium, potassium, cesium and francium.

alkali metals have electronegativity from 0.7 to 1, lowest in periodic table of elements, which means that alkali metals (i group in periodic table) has positive oxidation number in compounds.

electronegativity is a chemical property that describes the tendency of an atom to attract a shared pair of electrons towards itself.

alkaline metals (far left in main group) have lowest ionizations energy and easy remove valence electrons,

for example, potassium is the alkali metal and has a single valence electron in the outer electron shell.

electron configuration of potassium is: ₁₉k 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s¹.

they can not exist alone in nature, because they are very reactive.