When metal ? $M$ ? is treated with $NaOH$, a white gelatinous precipitate ?$X$? is obtained, which is soluble in excess of $NaOH$. Compound ?$X$? when heated strongly gives an oxide which is used in chromatography as an adsorbent. The metal ?$M$? is :
$Al ^{3+} {->[{ NaOH }]} \underset{\text{White gelatinous ppt.}}{ Al ( OH )_{3} \downarrow} {->[{{\text{ Excess}}}\,{ NaOH }]} \underset{\text{Sodium meta aluminate (soluble)}}{NaAlO _{2}}$ $2 Al ( OH )_{3} {->[{\text { Strong heating }}]} Al _{2} O _{3}+3 H _{2} O$ $Al _{2} O _{3}$ is used in column chromatography.
P block elements are those in which the last electron enters any of the three p-orbitals of their respective shells. Since a p-subshell has three degenerate p-orbitals each of which can accommodate two electrons, therefore in all there are six groups of p-block elements.
P block elements are shiny and usually a good conductor of electricity and heat as they have a tendency to lose an electron. You will find some amazing properties of elements in a P-block element like gallium. It’s a metal that can melt in the palm of your hand. Silicon is also one of the most important metalloids of the p-block group as it is an important component of glass.