Group 2

1. physical properties

A. Effective nuclear charge:

Atomic and ionic radii increases down the group from Mg to Ba
down the group, nuclear charge increases as number of protons increases
Shielding effect increases each succeeding element has one more shell of electrons
The increase in screening effect outweighs the increase in nuclear charge
Net attraction of positive nucleus to outermost electron decreases

I st IE decreases down the group from Mg to Ba

(more easily to lose electron --- stronger reducing power)
down the group, nuclear charge increases as number of protons increases
Shielding effect increases each succeeding element has one more shell of electrons
The increase in screening effect outweighs the increase in nuclear charge
Net attraction of positive nucleus to outermost electron decreases
Less energy required to remove the electron.

B. The strength of metallic bond(charge density = q/r)

Melting points decreases down the group from Mg to Ba
The charge of the cation is same, down the group, ionic radii increases, so less charge density
There is weaker metallic bond, weaker electrostatic forces attraction between the cations and
the sea of delocalized electrons
Hence energy required to break the metallic bond decreases, resulting in melting points
decreases down the group

C. The size of metal cation

Solubility

Solubility of sulfate (MgSO4 CaSO4 )decrease down the group

Down the group, size of metal cation increase, leading to smaller charge density
Both lattice energy and enthalpy change of hydration decrease
But enthalpy change of hydration decreases more significantly
Hence dissolving of sulphate become less exothermic

Solubility of hydroxide(Mg(OH)2) increases down the group

Down the group, size of metal cation increase, leading to smaller charge density
Both lattice energy and enthalpy change of hydration decrease
But lattice energy decreases more significantly
Hence dissolving of hydroxide become more exothermic
Since the solubility of hydroxide increase down the group, hence PH of hydroxide increases down
the group, basicity of hydroxide increases down the group.

2. Chemical properties

Gain electron -- oxidising power/agent --- reduction

Lose electron -- reducing power/agent --- oxidation

Reducing properties of group 2 metals

Group 2 metals are strong reducing agents and tend to be oxidised. They lose two electrons
readily to form X2+ cations
X→X2+ + 2e-
Reducing agent(reactivity) of metal increases down the group from Mg to Ba because ionisation
energy decreases, valence electrons are more readily lost

Element:
Reaction of the elements with O2

element reaction observation

Be 2Be(s) + O2(g) → 2BeO(s) no

Mg 2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s) Bright white

Ca 2Ca(s) + O2(g) → 2CaO(s) Brick red

Sr 2Sr(s) + O2(g) → 2SrO(s) Scarlet red

Ba 2Ba(s) + O2(g) → 2BaO(s) Apple green

Reaction of the elements with H2O

Group 2 metals (except Be) reduces water to form oxides/hydroxides and hydrogen gas
Reactivity increases down the group with more vigorous effervescence of H2

element Reaction with water

Be No reaction with either cold water or steam
 Mg With cold water
The reaction of Mg with cold water is very slow
Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) PH=9

With steam
Reacts vigorously with steam to form magnesium oxide
Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g) PH = 7

Ca React wit cold H2O with increasing vigour down the group
Sr equation Extent of reaction Resulting
Ba PH
Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) slow 10-13
Sr(s) + 2H2O(l) → Sr(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) vigorous 13
Ba(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ba(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) Very vigorous 13

Oxides
Reactions of the oxides with H2O

Group2 oxide Nature of oxide Reaction with water

BeO Amphoteric oxide (Al2O3) Insoluble in water
reacts with both acids and bases High lattice energy makes dissolution difficult
BeO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → BeCl2(aq)+H2O(l)
BeO(s) +2NaOH(aq) + H2O(l) →Na2Be(OH)4(aq)

MgO Basic oxide Dissolve only very slightly in water

reacts with acid only MgO(s) + H2O(l) →Mg(OH)2(aq)
MgO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) Mg(OH)2(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)
Weak alkaline solution PH=9
CaO Basic oxide These oxides react exothermically with water to
SrO Reacts with acids with increasing vigour down the group form soluble hydroxides
BaO CaO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) CaO(s) + H2O(l) →Ca(OH)2(aq)
SrO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → SrCl2(aq) + H2O(l) SrO(s) + H2O(l) →Sr(OH)2(aq)
BaO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → BaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) BaO(s) + H2O(l) →Ba(OH)2(aq)
Strong alkaline solution PH=10-13

Carbonates
Reaction of Group 2 carbonates with water and with dilute acids
The carbonates of magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium are all insoluble in water.

MgCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

The magnesium sulfate salt formed in the reaction above is soluble in water so remains in
aqueous solution, the sulfates of the other Group 2 elements tend to form an insoluble sulfate
layer on the carbonate, preventing further reaction after the initial effervescence of carbon
dioxide gas is seen.

CaCO3(s) + 2HNO3(aq) → Ca(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

With dilute nitric acid, all the nitrate salts formed are soluble in water

BaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → BaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

The reactions with dilute hydrochloric acid also form soluble salts, the chlorides.

Thermal decomposition of Group 2 carbonates, nitrates and hydroxides

MCO3(s) → MO(s) + CO2(g)

2M(NO3)2(s) → 2MO(s) + 4NO2(g) (brown gas)+ O2(g)

M(OH)2(s) → MO(s) + H2O(l)

Description: Down the group 2, the decomposition temperature increases, the thermal stability
of the nitrates and carbonates increases down the group

Explanation: down the group, the size of the cation increases, result in decreasing charge
density and decreasing polarising power, so the electron cloud of NO3- / CO32-/ OH- is less
distorted and the N-O bond / C-O bond / O-H bond is less weakened. Hence the thermal stability
of M(NO3)2 / MCO3 / M(OH)2 increases down the group.

Some uses of Group 2 compounds

Calcium compounds
Limestone is made up mainly of calcium carbonate. They can be stuck to each other using mortar.
Previously this mortar was made using lime and sand. Now it is more usual to use cement and
sand.

Marble is another form of calcium carbonate used as a building material, for example to make
expensive tiles.

Most calcium carbonate is used to make cement. The first stage roasting of limestone in a lime
kiln. At the high temperatures in the kiln, calcium carbonate decomposes to form calcium
oxide(also called lime or quicklime): CaCO3(s) →CaO(s) + CO2(g)
The calcium oxide made in the lime kiln goes on to be roasted with clay to make cement.

Cement can be mixed with sand and small pieces of rock to make concrete.

Slaked lime (Ca(OH)2 ) is used to treat acidic soil as they react with acids (CaO CaCO3)

MgO
Some ceramics contain magnesium oxide, they can be used as
Electrical insulators in industrial electrical cables
A refractory in furnace linings because it has high melting point (however, it cannot be used in
furnaces where acid is present due to its basic nature)
In fire-resistant wall boards.