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Group 2
The physical and chemical properties of the elements of Group 2 (the alkaline Earth
metals) are introduced in this topic.
10.1 Similarities and trends in the properties of the Group 2 metals, magnesium to barium,
and their compounds
10.2 Some uses of Group 2 compounds
GROUP 2
CEDAR COLLEGE GROUP 2
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Cambridge International AS and A Level Chemistry 9701 syllabus Syllabus content
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184
10 Group 2
The physical and chemical properties of the elements of Group 2 (the alkaline Earth metals) are
introduced in this topic.
Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
10.1 Similarities and a) describe the reactions of the elements with oxygen, water and dilute
trends in the acids
properties of the
b) describe the behaviour of the oxides, hydroxides and carbonates with
Group 2 metals,
water and dilute acids
magnesium to
barium, and their c) describe the thermal decomposition of the nitrates and carbonates
compounds d) interpret, and make predictions from, the trends in physical and chemical
properties of the elements and their compounds
e) state the variation in the solubilities of the hydroxides and sulfates
f) interpret and explain qualitatively the trend in the thermal stability
of the nitrates and carbonates in terms of the charge density of the
cation and the polarisability of the large anion
g) interpret and explain qualitatively the variation in solubility of the
hydroxides and sulfates in terms of relative magnitudes of the
enthalpy change of hydration and the corresponding lattice energy
10.2 Some uses a) describe and explain the use of calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate
of Group 2 (powdered limestone) in agriculture
compounds
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CEDAR COLLEGE GROUP 2
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Periodicity
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Sodium oxide (electronegativity 0.7) easily dissolves in water to give an alkaline solution:
Na2O(s) + H2O(l) → 2Na+OH−(aq)
INTRODUCTION
Magnesium oxide (electronegativity 1.2) dissolves slightly in water to give a solution
that is just alkaline:
The Group II metals (also known as earth metals) are all elements with similar properties.
MgO(s) + H2O(l) → Mg2+(OH−)2(aq)
Earth Metals comprise of Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr),
Aluminium
Barium (Ba)oxide does not
and Radium (Ra).dissolve in water, but its hydroxide (electronegativity 1.5)
is amphoteric: it dissolves in both acids and alkalis.
They are generally shiny, silvery-white metals with relatively low densities and melting
Al(OH)3(s) + 3H+(aq) → Al3+(aq) + 3H2O(l)
points.
Al(OH)3(s) + OH−(aq) → Al(OH)4−(aq)
Beryllium (Be) 1s2 2s2
SiO2 is a weakly acidic oxide. It2is the starting material for glasses and ceramics
Magnesium (Mg) 1s 2s2 2p6 3s2
because, when molten, it reacts with bases such as sodium carbonate and calcium
carbonate. Calcium (Ca) 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2
P4O10 and Strontium
SO2 (electronegativities
(Sr) 1s2 2s22.1
2p6and
3s2 3p2.5)
6 3dreact
10 4s2 with
4p6 5swater
2 to form the weak
acids, H3PO4 Barium
and H2(Ba)
SO3, while 1s
SO 3 forms
2 2s the
2 2p6 3s 2 3pstrong acid,
6 3d10 4s 2 4p6H
4d2SO 4:2 5p6 6s2
10 5s
P4O10(s) + 6H2O(l) → 4H3PO4(aq) 1
SO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(aq)
SO3(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO4(aq)
10.4 Group 2
Properties of the elements and general trends
The elements of Group 2 show typical metallic behaviour. They form compounds
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
containing M2+ ions, and the reactivity of the metals increases down the group.
operties of the Mg Ca Sr Ba
Melting point/°C 649 839 769 729
Boiling point/°C 1090 1484 1384 1637
−1
First ionisation energy/kJ mol 736 590 548 502
Second ionisation energy/kJ mol−1 1450 1150 1060 966
Ionic radius of M2+ ion/nm 0.065 0.099 0.113 0.135
Group 2 metals are reducing agents. They readily give up their two s electrons to
On going from calcium to barium, the first and second ionisation energies decrease.
form
This is M
2+ ions (where M represents Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba).
because the outer electrons become further away from the nucleus and are
less
Thefirmly attracted
elements to it. Thus
get more the as
reactive reactivity of the the
we go down metals increases
group fromless
as it takes calcium to
energy
barium, as shown by their reactions with oxygen and water.
to remove the pair of outer electrons going down Group 2.
Reactions with oxygen
2
When heated, the Group 2 metals catch fire and form white oxides. For example,
magnesium gives MgO:
2Mg(l) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)
CEDAR COLLEGE GROUP 2
Of all the metals, magnesium catches fire the most easily as it has the lowest
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melting point. It burns with a brilliant white light. Calcium burns with a brick-red
ner shells means that atomic and ionic radii
each element, the 2+ ion is smallerOnline than the
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e outer shell of electrons. 186
Ca Ca2+
tion energies decrease down the group. The
lectrons means that the effective nuclear charge
n is 2+. Down the group, the outer s electrons
rom the same effective nuclear charge andElements are
sation energies decrease. This trend PHYSICAL
helps to PROPERTIES
Figure 8.5 !
activity of the elements down the group. Graph Relative
to showsizes of the
the trend atoms
in the sumand ions
of the firstoftwo
configuration Relative sizes of the
ctron to form a 3+
atoms andion
ionstakes
of much more energy, ionisation
Group 2 elements.
energies of Group 2 metals:
as to be removed
Group 2against
[Link] attraction of a much
Be 2+
Be
X(g) ⟶ X2+(g) + 2e—
e. This means that it is never energetically
orm M3+ ions. Be2+
Sum of first two ionisation
2500
Mg2+
energies/kJ mol –1
Test yourself Mg Mg2+ 2000
Ca 2+ Sr 2+
2 metals (Section 5.4). Ba2+
1500
urations
e charge onofthe
the atoms and ions of Mg, Ca and Sr
nucleus
pincreases
and d aselectrons (Section 5.4).
a result. The 1000
atomic and ionic
any period areradii
smaller than the Group 1 ion in that
ion is smaller than the
500
ons. Ca Ca2+
e down the group. The
he effective nuclear charge 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
oup, the outer s electrons
Atomic number
similar chemical
e nuclear charge and areproperties because they have 3
se. This trend helps to
tshdown
twothe electrons
group. in an Figure
outer8.5s ! orbital. When the Figure 8.6 !
Relative sizes of the atoms and ions of
ns, they lose the two outer electrons to give ions
n takes much more energy, Group 2 elements. Graph to show the trend in the sum of
,nst the
2+ attraction
and Baof2+a. much the first two ionisation energies of Group
s Sr
never energetically These elements therefore exist in
2 metals: M(g) → M2+(g) + 2e−.
heir compounds. Be2+
Sum of first two ionisation
2500
Mg2+
energies/kJ mol –1
2000
Ca 2+ Sr 2+
the Group
nd ions of Mg, Ca and Sr2 elements
1500
Ba2+
on 5.4).
agents. They
than the Group 1 ionreadily
in that give 1000
up their two s electrons
epresents Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba).
500
REACTIONS WITH WATER AND STEAM
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Atomic number
erties because theyThe
have metals Mg to Ba in Group 2 react with water. The reactions are not as vigorous as
outer s orbital. When the Figure 8.6 !
theions
uter electrons to give reactions
Graphof the Group
to show the trend 1inmetals,
the sum ofbut, as in Group 1, the rate of reaction increases
eoup
elements thereforeburn
exist in the first two ionisation energies of Group
2 metals down brightly
metals:on
the2group. M(g)heating
→ M2+(g) +in 2e−oxygen
.
M2+O2−.
Magnesium reacts very slowly with cold water but much more rapidly on heating in
htly in air, with
ements an intense white flame, to form
xide, steam. It does not give the hydroxide,
powder isas magnesium oxide is almost insoluble in water.
ive up MgO.
their twoFor this reason,
s electrons magnesium
dor flares.
Ba).
Mg (s) + H2O (g) ⟶ MgO (s) + H2 (g)
y in air, but with a red flame, to form the white
ontium reacts in a similar way.
Calcium reacts with cold water to produce hydrogen and calcium hydroxide.
or oxygen,
ghtly on heatingwith a green flame, to form a
in oxygen Figure 8.7 !
s the peroxide ion, O22− . Ca (s) + H2O (l) ⟶ Calcium
Ca(OH)2burning
(s)/(aq) +in H
air.
2 (g) 103
tense white flame, to form
ason, magnesium powder is
Barium reacts even faster with cold water, but its hydroxide is more soluble.
d flame, to form the white
4
milar way.
en flame, to form a Figure 8.7 !
2−
. Calcium burning in air.
103
CEDAR COLLEGE GROUP 2
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REACTIONS WITH WATER AND STEAM
General Reaction: X + 2 H2O ⟶ X(OH)2 + H2
Element Water Steam
Slow reaction.
Burns in steam rapidly.
Magnesium Bubble of hydrogen form.
Produces white an oxide and hydrogen.
Produces a hydroxide and hydrogen.
Rapid reactions.
Calcium, Vigor increases down the group. Explosive reaction.
Strontium &
Alkaline solution obtained. Produces white oxide and hydrogen.
Barium
Produces a hydroxide and hydrogen.
SKILL CHECK
Write balanced equations, including state symbols, for the reaction of:
(a) strontium with water
(b) barium with water
CEDAR COLLEGE GROUP 2
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REACTIONS WITH OXYGEN
Apart from beryllium, the Group 2 metals burn brightly on heating in oxygen to form
white ionic oxides, M2+O2−.
Magnesium burns very brightly in air, with an intense white flame, to form the white
solid magnesium oxide, MgO. For this reason, magnesium powder is an ingredient of
fireworks and flares.
Mg (s) + ½O2 (g) ⟶ MgO (s)
Calcium also burns brightly in air, but with a red flame, to form the white solid calcium
oxide, CaO.
Strontium burns with a crimson flame and barium with a green flame.
REACTIONS WITH ACIDS
General Reaction: metal + acid ⟶ hydrogen + salt
All Group 2 Metals react with acids to liberate Hydrogen gas. The silver
metal is seen dissolving in the metal.
Reactivity increases down the group.
A soluble salt is produced, except in sulfuric acid.
This is due to sulfates being increasingly insoluble down the group.
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GROUP 2 OXIDES
Earth Metals form basic oxides. They have high melting points and are
used industrially.
They are normally prepared by heating the hydroxide or carbonate to
release water or carbon dioxide gas.
Mg(OH)2 ⟶ MgO + H2O
MgCO3 ⟶ MgO + CO2
GENERAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOUNDS
Group II Hydroxides and Oxides are increasingly soluble down the group,
making alkaline solutions.
Group II Sulfates are decreasingly soluble down the group.
Group II Carbonates are all insoluble in water, and react with acids to
liberate carbon dioxide.
MgCO3 + 2HCl ⟶ MgCl2 + CO2 + H2O
10
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SKILL CHECK
Write a balanced equation, including state symbols, for the reaction of
barium carbonate with dilute nitric acid.
11
THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF CARBONATES
All Carbonates undergo thermal decomposition to give metal oxide and
carbon dioxide gas.
MgCO3 ⟶ MgO + CO2
Down the group, the carbonates need to be heated strongly to
decompose.
Thermal stability of group 2 carbonates increases down the group.
12
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THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF NITRATES
All Nitrates undergo thermal decomposition to give metal oxide, nitrogen
dioxide (brown gas) and oxygen gas.
Mg(NO3)2 ⟶ MgO + 2 NO2 + ½O2
Down the group, nitrates also become increasingly stable to heat.
Thermal stability of group 2 nitrates increases down the group.
13
SKILL CHECK
Which of the three compounds listed will decompose at the lowest
temperature?
(a) calcium carbonate, strontium carbonate, barium carbonate
Q. Write a balanced chemical equation, including state symbols, for the
thermal decomposition of:
(a) strontium carbonate
14
CEDAR COLLEGE GROUP 2
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SKILL CHECK
Which of the three compounds listed will decompose at the lowest
temperature?
(a) barium nitrate, calcium nitrate, magnesium nitrate
Write a balanced chemical equation, including state symbols, for the
thermal decomposition of:
(a) barium nitrate
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INDUSTRIAL USES
Magnesium Oxide is used to line blast furnaces. It is highly heat resistant
and can be used in furnaces where acid isn't present.
Lime (powdered Calcium Carbonate), Quicklime (Calcium Oxide) and
Slaked Lime (Calcium Hydroxide) are used to raise the pH of acidic soils
by neutralising the acids.
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