The periodic table Group 2 Have their highest energy electrons in an s sub-shell, hence they are called s-block

ck elements.

Ionization energy (I.E) trends: Going down the group, there is an extra electron shell compared to the element above, and the atomic radius is increasing The outer electrons are increasingly further away from the nucleus; therefore the attractive force is less. The extra inner shells shield the outer electrons from the attraction of the nucleus Therefore, the ionization energies DECREASE down the group (gets easier to remove an e- )

Reactions of group 2 elements with Oxygen, Water and Chlorine: 1. Burn in Oxygen to form solid oxides, often burning with a bright flame

e.g.: 2Mg(s) + O2 (g)

2MgO(s)

2. React with water to form metal hydroxide and hydrogen:

e.g.: (OH) 2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Ca(s) + 2H2O (l)

Reactivity INCREASES down group, as the I.E decreases:

Ca

Be doesnt react Mg with steam

Mg reacts rapidly with steam: Mg(s) + H2O (g) 3. React with chlorine to form solid metal chlorides:

MgO + H2 Ca steadily
Sr fairly quick Ba rapidly

e.g.:

Mg(s) + Cl2 (g)

MgCl2(s)

Reactions of group 2 OXIDES and HYDROXIDES:

1. Group 2 oxides react with water to form metal hydroxides, which dissolve. They are also alkaline e.g.: CaO(s) + H2O (l) Ca (OH) 2 (aq)

2. Group 2 oxides and hydroxides are BASES

They neutralise dilute acids e.g.: HCl or HNO3 Form the corresponding salt and water

e.g.:

MgO(s) + 2HCl (aq) CaO(s) + 2HNO3 (aq)

MgCl2 (aq) + H2O (l) Ca (NO3)2 (aq) + H2O (l) MgCl2 (aq) + H2O

Hydroxides are the same:

(l)

Ca (OH)2 (aq) + 2HCl(aq)

Solubility trends of hydroxides and sulphates: Generally compounds of group 2 elements that contain singly charged negative ions (e.g. OH-) INCREASE in solubility down group Compounds with doubly charged -ve ions (e.g. SO42-) DECREASE in solubility down group.
Solubility of HYDROXIDES INCREASES down the group Solubility of SULFATES DECREASES down the group MgSO4 Most soluble CaSO4 SrSO4 BaSO4 Insoluble

Mg (OH) 2 Insoluble Ca (OH) 2 Sr (OH) 2 Ba (OH) 2 Most soluble

Thermal Stability of group 1 and 2 CARBONATES and NITRATES

Thermal decomposition: when a substance decomposes when heated The more thermally stable a substance is, the more heat it requires to break it down. The carbonate and nitrate ions are LARGE and can be made UNSTABLE by a cation. The greater the polarising power of the cation, the greater the distortion and the LESS stable the anion. The further down the group, the larger the cations and less distortion caused therefore the MORE stable the carbonate/nitrate anion. Thermal stability increases down a group. Group 2 compounds are LESS THERMALLY STABLE than group 1 (more distortion by +2 cation)

Group 1 Carbonates: From sodium carbonate down group 1, the carbonates will NOT DECOMPOSE on heating thermally stable.

Nitrates: From sodium nitrate down group 1, the nitrates decompose to form the nitrite and oxygen e.g.: KNO3(s)
Potassium Nitrate Potassium Nitrite

2KNO 2(s) + O2 (g)

Group 2 Carbonates: Lithium and group 2 carbonates decompose to form an oxide and carbon dioxide e.g.: CaCO3(s) Li2CO3(s) CaO(s) + CO2 (g) Li2O(s) + CO2 (g)

Nitrates: Lithium and group 2 nitrates decompose to form the oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen. e.g.: Ca(NO3)2 (s) 2CaO
(s)

+ 4NO2 (g) + O2(g)

4LiNO3(s)

2Li2O(s) + 4NO2 (g) + O2(g)

Testing thermal stability of nitrates and carbonates: 1. Nitrates: How long it takes until a brown gas - NO 2 is produced. It is toxic, so must be done in fume cupboard

2. Carbonates: How long it takes for carbon dioxide to be produced tested using limewater which turns cloudy.

Flame tests: 1. Mix small amount of compound with few drops of hydrochloric acid 2. Heat a platinum or nichrome wire in hot flame to clean it. 3. Dip the wire into the compound and hold it in hot flame. Electrons are being excited to higher energy levels by the heat energy. When the electrons return to the lower energy levels, they emit energy in the form of visible light. Flame colours of group 1 and 2 compounds: Group 1: Lithium RED Sodium YELLOW Potassium LILAC CRIMSON RED Group 2: Magnesium WHITE Calcium BRICK RED Strontium Barium GREEN