61

Group 2

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

alt
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

Group 2

Bilal Hameed Group 2

 62

10 Group 2
The physical and chemical properties of the elements of Group 2 (the alkaline Earth metals) are
introduced in this topic.

alt
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
c) describe the thermal decomposition of the nitrates and carbonates
barium, and their
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

30 www.cie.org.uk/alevel Back to contents page

Group 2 Bilal Hameed
 63

2.1 Solubility of Group II sulfates

Down the group II sulfates, the solubility decreases.

alt
Going down the group, the size of the cations increases (charge is the
same). This decreases the magnitude of lattice energy and hydration
energy. But the decrease in hydration energy is greater.

Thus, ∆Hsolution becomes more endothermic, and solubility of sulfates

decreases down the group.

2.2 Born-Haber cycles of solubility

Mg2+(g) + SO42—(g) Ba2+(g) + SO42—(g)

∆Hhydration
—∆Hlattice ∆Hhydration —∆Hlattice
Ba2+(aq) + SO42—(aq)

Mg2+(aq) + SO42—(aq) BaSO4(s)

∆Hsolution
MgSO4(s) ∆Hsolution

In this case, ∆Hsolution is less In this case, ∆Hsolution is more

Endothermic (-), therefore Endothermic (+), therefore less
greater solubility. solubility.

2.3 Skill check 1

Explain qualitatively the variation in solubility of the sulphates of the
elements in Group II down the Group from magnesium to barium.

Bilal Hameed Group 2

 nGroupLiF andheat
IIMgO is the charge on the
CaO(s) + CO2(g) • the smaller ions as being spherical >inCashape. This isit2+
not
is always the
2+ 2+ 2+
he 3(s) →
COlattice energy: the ionic radius ofMg the cation, > Srbetter
the > Ba
at polarisingcase. In some cases,
the64carbonate ion (Figurethe positive
18.8) charge on the cation in
eompose
−049 18.1 kJshows
mol −1
to theirtheoxides
decomposition
and temperature
• so the degree anofionic lattice
polarisation • the ofgreater
may theattract thethe
carbonate polarisation
electrons
ion by the inofthe
theanion
carbon
enthalpy
For
−
example:
3923 kJ
change
mol −1
of reaction, ∆H r , for someII cation
Group towards follows theeasier
it. This results
order it isintoaweaken
distortion a carbon–oxygen
of the electronbo
up II carbonates. cloud of2+ the anion carbonate and the andanion
form iscarbon
no longer dioxide and t
spherica
2. 4 Polarisation
2+
Mgis shown> Ca 2+
> Sr 18.7). > Ba on2+
CO ehas relative
2(g) ease lattice
a greater of thermalenergy decomposition
than (Figure Weheating.
call this distortion, ion polarisation
he values of the enthalpy changes of
Thereaction.
positive charge The on the cation in an A similar
ionic latticepattern
may attractis the
observed with the therm

alt
2+ 2−
Th e doubly
position charged Mg and O electrons
temperature •ions
the greater
in the anion The
the ability
polarisation
towards ofresults
it. This a of
cation
the to attract
carbonate
in a distortion electrons
ion,
of the the and distort a
ede positive the enthalpy change, theelectron
more stable isweaken
toanion is called decomposition
anionthe
of Group II nitrates: these d

theof the cation.
ion,attract
∆H r ,each
for someother more strongly easier it isof the
cloud anion and is nopolarising
a carbon–oxygen
the bondpower
longer spherical. in
arbonate
arged ionsrelative
of the to its oxide
same size inand carbon
LiF.We For dioxide.
carbonate andionform
call this distortion carbon
polarisation.
form the oxide,
dioxide
The ability ofand
nitrogen
the
a cation tooxide
attract
dioxide and oxyge
l,isdecomposition
alsogreater
the reflectedtheby the decomposition
ischarge
shown on the ion, ontemperatures:
electrons
the and distort an anion is called the polarising power of the
heating. 2Mg(NO3)2(s) → 2MgO(s) + 4NO2(g)
cation.
density. This results in stronger ionic
changes of reaction. The A similar pattern is observed with the thermal
hange,
ed. the more stable is decomposition of2+Group II–The orderthese
nitrates: of stability
decompose withtorespect to the pr
Figure 18.7 Ion polarisation. A small hig
oup xideIIand carbon dioxide.
Decomposition form thechange
Enthalpy oxide, nitrogen
of the order:
dioxide andcharged
oxygen.cationFor example:
can distort the shape of
−1
ecomposition
bonate temperatures:
temperature / °C reaction / kJmol the anion.
2Mg(NO3)2(s) → 2MgO(s) Ba(NO
+ 4NO 3)22(g)
> Sr(NO
+ O2(g) 3)2 > Ca(NO3)2 > Mg
gnesium 540 +117
bonate The order of stability with respect to the products is in
the order:
Factors affecting ion polarisation
tion
hium Enthalpy
pair of compounds, change of
900 suggest +176 of
e / °C −1 2. 5 Effect Thcationic
e degreeradius of polarisation
on polarisation of an anion depends on:
will
bonate havereaction
the most / kJmol
exothermic Ba(NO3)2 >• increase Sr(NO )2 > density
Ca(NOof 3)2 the
> Mg(NO )2.
+117 The Group II cations the charge in3 ionic cation 3and
nergy.
ntium 1280 +238
radius down • the2+

 ease with which
the group:
Mg2+
the anion CO32–
can be polarised –
Ca2+
and
bonate BaO (ionic radii are similar)Mg < Ca < Sr < Ba
2+ 2+ 2+
its polarisability.
2 and SrI2 +176 The smaller the ionic radius of the cation,
um 1360 +268
the better it is at polarising the carbonate
O and NaCl (ionic radii are
bonate ion. Therefore the degreeAn anion is more
of polarisation of likely to be polarised if:
ar). +238 the carbonate 2+ ion by the Group II cations
Mg
• the
2–cation is small 2+
CO Figure 18.8Ca Magnesium CO32–ions are better polarisers of c
e18.1 Enthalpy change
following compoundsof reactioninvalues
orderfor the decomposition
follows the order: of3
Group II carbonates • the cation has calciuma charge
ions. of 2+ or 3+
asingly exothermic +268lattice energy. Mg2+ > Ca2+ > Sr2+ > Ba2+
• the anion is large
your answer.
• the anion has a charge of 2−or 3−
MgO RbCl
tion values for the decomposition of Figure 18.8 Magnesium ions are better polarisers of carbonate ions than
calcium ions.
king physics A-level learn that
static force between two charged2.6 Thermal stability Fact file of Group II salts
Q ×Q Kazimierz Fajans was bornincreases
in Poland but worked mainly 18
in L
proportional to 1 2 2 , whereThermal stability of group
the group because:

2 nitrates and carbonates down

r Germany and the USA. He drew up a set of rules about the

are the charges on the particles • The size of the cation increases
of a negative ion by a positive ion.
polarisation
e distance between the centres • The charge density of the cation decreases
cles. Use this relationship to • The polarisation on the anion decreases 18 Lattice energy 261
y: All the carbonates in Group II undergo thermal decomposition to give the

ium oxide has a greater lattice Fact

metal oxide and carbon dioxide:
XCO file
3(s) ⟶ XO(s) + CO2(g)

han lithium fluoride 3+

A small highly charged cation such as Fe can attract electrons
fluoride has a greater lattice and distort a larger anion to such an extent that the bond
han potassium bromide. formed has a considerable amount of covalent character. Pure
ionic bonding and pure covalent bonding are extremes. Many
Group 2 Bilal Hameed
ionic compounds have some covalent character due to ion
polarisation. Many covalent compounds have some degree of
 65

2.7 Thermal stability of Group II carbonates

The amount of heat needed to decompose the carbonate depends on

alt
how polarised the carbonate ion is. If it is highly polarised, lesser heat is
needed than if it was only slightly polarised.

The smaller the positive ion is, the higher the charge density, and the
greater effect it will have on the carbonate ion. As you go down the
Group, the positive ions get bigger and have less effect on the carbonate
ions near them.

Hence polarisation decreases, and the thermal stability of the

carbonate increases, and more heat is required to break the lattice.

2.8 Thermal stability of Group II carbonates

This O atom & its electrons
are pulled towards the 2+

Group 2 cation & eventually

breaking into O2—

Greater the charge density

of the cation, easier to
distort the electron cloud of
the anion

2.9 Thermal stability of Group II nitrates

All the nitrates in this Group undergo thermal decomposition to give the
metal oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen:

2X(NO3)2(s) ⟶ 2XO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)

As you go down the Group, the nitrates also have to be heated more
strongly before they will decompose. The nitrates also become more
stable to heat as you go down the Group.
Polarisation deceases therefore thermal stability increases is and more
heat is required to break the lattice

Bilal Hameed Group 2

 66

2.10 Skill check 2

a) Write an equation representing the action of heat on calcium nitrate,

alt
Ca(NO3)2




b) Describe and explain the trend in the thermal stabilities of the nitrates
of the Group II elements.

Group 2 Bilal Hameed