Chemical Properties of the elements

1. General
Group 2 element are typical metals and
reactive, powerful reducing agents.
M M 2+ + 2e
On going down the group, the elements
generally become more reactive because,
Proton number increases
Atomic radius increase because of shielding
effect
Ionisation energy decreases

 Reaction with water

Mg (s) + 2H2O (l)

Mg(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g)

slowly

Mg (s) + H2O (g)

MgO (s) + H2 (g)

steam
rapidly
Beryllium does not react directly with water all. The rest of the Group
II metals react with increasing rapidity on descending the group.

 Reaction with acids

Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq)

MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Mg (s) + H2SO4(aq)

MgSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

The reaction is more vigorous as we go down the group.

 Oxide reaction with water

MgO (s) + H2O (l)

Mg(OH)2 (aq)

Partially soluble
In the saturated solution, pH(Mg(OH)2) = 10
The rest of the Group II oxides react with increasing rapidity on
descending the group.