Chapter 10: GROUP 2

10.1 Selected Group 2 elements and their compounds

Candidates should be able to:

(a) describe the trends in physical properties of Group 2 elements: Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba;
(b) describe the reactions of Group 2 elements with oxygen and water;
(c) describe the behaviour of the oxides of Group 2 elements with water;
(d) explain qualitatively the thermal decomposition of the nitrates, carbonates and hydroxides of Group 2
elements in terms of the charge density and polarisability of large anions;
(e) explain qualitatively the variation in solubility of sulphate of Group 2 elements in terms of the
relative magnitudes of the enthalpy change of hydration for the relevant ions and the corresponding
lattice energy

1. Compare the
(a) atomic size of sodium, magnesium and calcium, (3M)
(b) reactivity of magnesium and rubidium toward oxygen gas, (4M)
(c) melting points of sodium oxides, magnesium oxide and calcium oxide. (3M)
Explain your answer in (b) and (c) in terms of ionisation energy or lattice energy.

2. Strontium, Sr is a Group 2 element with proton number 38.

(a) How would you expect the ionisation energy of strontium to compare with that of calcium
and rubidium.
(b) (i) What would you expect to observe if a piece of strontium were added to cold water?
(ii) Write an equation for the reaction.

(c) (i) Write the formula of strontium nitrate.

(ii) Write a balanced equation for the thermal decomposition of strontium nitrate.
(iii) How easily would you expect strontium nitrate to decompose compared with calcium
nitrate?
(iv) Explain your answer in (c)(iii) above.
Suggested answer:

1. Compare the
(a) atomic size of sodium, magnesium and calcium, (3M)

Sodium & Mg are Period 2 element, while Ca is Period 3.

Thus, Ca atom is larger than both Na and Mg.
Mg has a higher effective nuclear charge, thus
Mg atom is smaller than Na.

(b) reactivity of magnesium and rubidium toward oxygen gas, (4M)

Rb atom is larger than Mg atom.

Rb has a smaller effective nuclear charge / weaker attractive forces between nucleus and valence
electron.
Ionisation energy of Rb is smaller than that of Mg.
Rb is more reactive than Mg.

(c) melting points of sodium oxides, magnesium oxide and calcium oxide. (3M)

Na2O, MgO and CaO are ionic compounds / giant ionic structure.
Charge of Mg2+, Ca2+ is larger than that of Na+.
Thus, lattice energy of MgO, CaO is greater than the lattice energy of Na2O
Mg2+ ion is smaller than the Ca2+, thus
Lattice energy of MgO is greater than the lattice energy of CaO.
Thus, melting point Na2O < CaO < MgO
2. Strontium, Sr is a Group 2 element with proton number 38.
(a) How would you expect the ionisation energy of strontium to compare with that of calcium
and rubidium.

I.E of strontium smaller than the I.E of Ca.

(b) (i) What would you expect to observe if a piece of strontium were added to cold water?

Bubble of gas is given off. White precipitate is produced.

(ii) Write an equation for the reaction.

Sr + 2H2O  Sr(OH)2 + H2

(c) (i) Write the formula of strontium nitrate.

Sr(NO3)2

(ii) Write a balanced equation for the thermal decomposition of strontium nitrate.

2 Sr(NO3)2  2 SrO + 4 NO2 + O2

(iii) How easily would you expect strontium nitrate to decompose compared with calcium
nitrate?

It is more difficult to be decomposed.

(iv) Explain your answer in (c)(iii) above.

Sr2+ ion is larger than Ca2+.

Charge density of Sr2+ is smaller than that of Ca2+.
Polarisation power of Sr2+ ion is weaker.
The NO3- ion is less distorted by Sr2+
Bond N-O is harder to break