Group 2

AN INTRODUCTION TO
GROUP II
Alkaline earth Metals
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2

GROUP II
CONTENTS
• General properties
• Trends in electronic configuration
• Trends in atomic and ionic radius
• Trends in melting point
• Trends in ionisation energy
• Reaction with oxygen and water
• Oxides and hydroxides
• Carbonates
• Sulfates
©HOPTON
GROUP PROPERTIES
GENERAL • metals
• all have the electronic configuration ... ns2
TRENDS • melting point

• electronic configuration
• electronegativity
• atomic size
• ionic size
©HOPTON
THE s-BLOCK ELEMENTS
Elements in Group I (alkali metals) and Group II (alkaline earths) are known as
s-block elements because their valence (bonding) electrons are in s orbitals.
©HOPTON
ALKALI METALS
Gp I
1s2 2s1 Li
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 Na
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s1 K
… 5s1 Rb
… 6s1 Cs
Fr
©HOPTON
ALKALI METALS ALKALINE EARTHS

Gp I Gp II
1s2 2s1 Li Be 1s2 2s2
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 Na Mg 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s1 K Ca 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2
… 5s1 Rb Sr … 5s2
… 6s1 Cs Ba … 6s2
Fr Ra
©HOPTON
ALKALI METALS ALKALINE EARTHS

Gp I Gp II
1s2 2s1 Li Be 1s2 2s2
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 Na Mg 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s1 K Ca 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2
… 5s1 Rb Sr … 5s2
… 6s1 Cs Ba … 6s2
Fr Ra
Francium and radium are both
short-lived radioactive elements
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Atomic Number 4 12 20 38 56
Old e/c 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2
New e/c 1s2 2s2 …3s2 … 4s2 … 5s2 … 6s2
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Old e/c 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2
New e/c 1s2 2s2 …3s2 … 4s2 … 5s2 … 6s2
As the nuclear charge increases, the electrons go into shells further

from the nucleus.
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Old e/c 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2
New e/c 1s2 2s2 …3s2 … 4s2 … 5s2 … 6s2
As the nuclear charge increases, the electrons go into shells further

from the nucleus.
The extra distance of the outer shell from the nucleus affects…
Atomic radius Ionic radius

Ionisation energy Melting point
Chemical reactivity
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
ATOMIC & IONIC RADIUS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Atomic radius / nm 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 0.198
Electronic config. 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Atomic radius / nm 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 0.198
ATOMIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group

• the greater the atomic number
the more electrons there are;
these go into shells increasingly
further from the nucleus
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Atomic radius / nm 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 0.198
ATOMIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group

• the greater the atomic number
the more electrons there are;
these go into shells increasingly
further from the nucleus
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2
• atoms of Group II are smaller than

the equivalent Group I atom
the extra proton exerts a greater

attraction on the electrons 11 protons 12 protons
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Atomic radius / nm 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 0.198
Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ Ba2+

Ionic radius / nm 0.030 0.064 0.094 0.110 0.134
Electronic config. 2 2,8 2,8,8 2,8,18,8 2,8,18,18,8
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Atomic radius / nm 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 0.198

Ionic radius / nm 0.030 0.064 0.094 0.110 0.134
IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group

• ions are smaller than atoms – on removing the outer shell
electrons, the remaining electrons are now in fewer shells
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Atomic radius / nm 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 0.198

Ionic radius / nm 0.030 0.064 0.094 0.110 0.134

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6

©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Atomic radius / nm 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 0.198

Ionic radius / nm 0.030 0.064 0.094 0.110 0.134

©HOPTON
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p6
GROUP TRENDS
MELTING POINT
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
MELTING POINT
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710
DECREASES down Group
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
MELTING POINT
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710

• each atom contributes two electrons to the delocalised cloud
• metallic bonding gets weaker due to increased size of ion
Larger ions mean

that the electron
cloud doesn’t bind
them as strongly
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
MELTING POINT
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710

Larger ions mean

that the electron
them as strongly
• Group I metals have lower melting points than the equivalent Group II
metal because each metal only contributes one electron to the cloud
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
©HOPTON
MELTING POINT
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710

Larger ions mean

that the electron
them as strongly
• Group I metals have lower melting points than the equivalent Group II
metal because each metal only contributes one electron to the cloud
NOTE Magnesium doesn’t fit the trend because crystalline

structure can also affect the melting point of a metal
FIRST IONISATION ENERGY
©HOPTON
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390
©HOPTON
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390
DECREASES down the Group

Despite the increasing nuclear charge the values decrease due to the
extra shielding provided by additional filled inner energy levels
©HOPTON
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390

4+
BERYLLIUM
There are 4 protons pulling
on the outer shell electrons
1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1

©HOPTON
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390

MAGNESIUM
There are now 12 protons
pulling on the outer shell
4+ electrons. However, the extra
12+
filled inner shell shields the
nucleus from the outer shell
electrons. The effective nuclear
charge is less and the
BERYLLIUM electrons are easier to remove.
on the outer shell electrons 1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1
1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1

©HOPTON
FIRST IONISATION ENERGY ©HOPTON
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390

MAGNESIUM
There are now 12 protons
pulling on the outer shell
4+ electrons. However, the extra
12+
filled inner shell shield the
nucleus from the outer shell
electrons. The effective nuclear
charge is less and the
BERYLLIUM electrons are easier to remove.
on the outer shell electrons 1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1
1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1

©HOPTON
SUCCESSIVE IONISATION ENERGIES
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390
Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger
©HOPTON
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390
12+
1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1
©HOPTON
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390
12+ 12+
1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 2nd I.E. = 1500 kJ mol-1

There are now 12 protons and
only 11 electrons. The
©HOPTON increased ratio of protons to
electrons means that it is
harder to pull an electron out.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390
12+ 12+ 12+
1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 2nd I.E. = 1500 kJ mol-1 3rd I.E. = 7733 kJ mol-1
There are now 12 protons and There is a big jump in IE because
only 11 electrons. The the electron being removed is
increased ratio of protons to from a shell nearer the nucleus;
©HOPTON electrons means that it is there is less shielding.
Be Mg Ca Sr Ba
1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500
2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000
3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390
12+ 12+ 12+
1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 2nd I.E. = 1500 kJ mol-1 3rd I.E. = 7733 kJ mol-1
There are now 12 protons and There is a big jump in IE because
only 11 electrons. The the electron being removed is
increased ratio of protons to from a shell nearer the nucleus;
©HOPTON electrons means that it is there is less shielding.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS
Reactivity increases down the Group due to the ease of cation formation
©HOPTON
OXYGEN react with increasing vigour down the group
Mg burns readily with a bright white flame

0 0 +2 -2
2Mg(s) + O2(g) —> 2MgO(s)
Ba burns readily with an apple-green flame

2Ba(s) + O2(g) —> 2BaO(s)
©HOPTON
OXYGEN react with increasing vigour down the group
Mg burns readily with a bright white flame

0 0 +2 -2
2Mg(s) + O2(g) —> 2MgO(s)
Ba burns readily with an apple-green flame

2Ba(s) + O2(g) —> 2BaO(s)
In both cases…
the metal is oxidised Oxidation No. increases from 0 to +2
oxygen is reduced Oxidation No. decreases from 0 to -2
Mg —> Mg2+ + 2e¯

O + 2e¯ —> O2-
©HOPTON
©HOPTON
WATER react with increasing vigour down the group
©HOPTON
Mg reacts very slowly with cold water

Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) —> Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
but reacts quickly with steam

Mg(s) + H2O(g) —> MgO(s) + H2(g)
©HOPTON
Mg reacts very slowly with cold water

Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) —> Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
but reacts quickly with steam

Mg(s) + H2O(g) —> MgO(s) + H2(g)
Ba reacts vigorously with cold water

Ba(s) + 2H2O(l) —> Ba(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
©HOPTON
OXIDES OF GROUP II
Bonding • ionic solids; EXCEPT BeO which has covalent character
• BeO (beryllium oxide) MgO (magnesium oxide)

CaO (calcium oxide) SrO (strontium oxide)
BaO (barium oxide)
©HOPTON
OXIDES OF GROUP II

BaO (barium oxide)
Reaction
with water BeO MgO CaO SrO BaO
Reactivity with water NONE reacts reacts reacts reacts
Solubility of hydroxide Insoluble Sparingly Slightly Quite Very
M(OH)2 in water soluble soluble soluble soluble
pH of 0.1M solution - 10.4 9-10
12.5 13.0 13.1
©HOPTON
OXIDES OF GROUP II

BaO (barium oxide)
Reaction
with water BeO MgO CaO SrO BaO
Reactivity with water NONE reacts reacts reacts reacts
Solubility of hydroxide Insoluble Sparingly Slightly Quite Very
M(OH)2 in water soluble soluble soluble soluble
12.5 13.0 13.1
React with water to produce the hydroxide (not Be)

e.g. CaO(s) + H2O(l) —> Ca(OH)2(s)
©HOPTON
HYDROXIDES OF GROUP II
Properties basic strength also increases down group
©HOPTON
• this is because the solubility increases

• the metal ions get larger so charge density decreases
• get a lower attraction between the OH¯ ions and larger 2+ ions
• the ions will split away from each other more easily
• there will be a greater concentration of OH¯ ions in water
©HOPTON

Be(OH)2 Mg(OH)2 Ca(OH)2 Sr(OH)2 Ba(OH)2

Solubility Insoluble Sparingly Slightly Quite Very
in water soluble soluble soluble soluble
12.5 13.0 13.1
©HOPTON
©HOPTON

Be(OH)2 Mg(OH)2 Ca(OH)2 Sr(OH)2 Ba(OH)2

Solubility Insoluble Sparingly Slightly Quite Very
in water soluble soluble soluble soluble
12.5 13.0 13.1
Lower charge density of the larger Ca2+

ion means that it doesn’t hold onto the
OH¯ ions as strongly. More OH¯ get
released into the water. It is more soluble
and the solution has a larger pH.
Uses
Ca(OH)2 used in agriculture to neutralise acid soils

Ca(OH)2(s) + 2H+ (aq) —> Ca2+(aq) + 2H2O(l)
Mg(OH)2 used in toothpaste and indigestion tablets as an antacid

Mg(OH)2(s) + 2H+ (aq) —> Mg2+(aq) + 2H2O(l)
Both the above are weak alkalis and not as caustic as sodium hydroxide
©HOPTON
CARBONATES OF GROUP II
©HOPTON
Properties
• insoluble in water
MgCO3 CaCO3 SrCO3 BaCO3
Solubility g/100cm3 of water 1.5 x 10-4 1.3 x 10-5 7.4 x 10-6 9.1 x 10-6
©HOPTON
Properties
Decomposition temperature / ºC 400 980 1280 1360
• undergo thermal decomposition to oxide and carbon dioxide

e.g. MgCO3(s) —> MgO(s) + CO2(g)
©HOPTON
Properties

• the ease of decomposition decreases down the group
©HOPTON
Properties

EASIER HARDER
©HOPTON
Properties

EASIER HARDER
One might think that the greater charge density of the smaller Mg2+ would mean that it
would hold onto the CO32- ion more and the ions would be more difficult to separate.
©HOPTON
©HOPTON
Properties

EASIER HARDER
One might think that the greater charge density of the smaller Mg2+ would mean that it
would hold onto the CO32- ion more and the ions would be more difficult to separate.
The driving force must be the formation of the oxide. The smaller ion with its greater
charge density holds onto the O2- ion to make a more stable compound.
GROUP TRENDS
SULFATES
MgSO4 CaSO4 SrSO4 BaSO4

©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
SULFATES

SOLUBILITY DECREASES down the Group

• as the cation gets larger it has a lower charge density
• it becomes less attracted to the polar water molecules
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
SULFATES


Greater charge density of Mg2+ ion

means that it is more attracted to water
so the ionic lattice breaks up more easily
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
SULFATES


Greater charge density of Mg2+ ion Lower charge density of larger Ca2+ means that it
means that it is more attracted to water is less attracted to water so the ionic lattice
so the ionic lattice breaks up more easily breaks up less easily – IT IS LESS SOLUBLE
©HOPTON
GROUP TRENDS
SULFATES


Greater charge density of Mg2+ ion Lower charge density of larger Ca2+ means that it
means that it is more attracted to water is less attracted to water so the ionic lattice
so the ionic lattice breaks up more easily breaks up less easily – IT IS LESS SOLUBLE
USE barium sulfate’s insolubility is used as a test for sulfates

©HOPTON
AN INTRODUCTION TO
GROUP II
Alkaline earth metals
THE END
©HOPTON

Group 2

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AN INTRODUCTION TO

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2

TRENDS • melting point

ALKALI METALS ALKALINE EARTHS

1s2 2s1 Li Be 1s2 2s2

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 Na Mg 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s1 K Ca 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2

ALKALI METALS ALKALINE EARTHS

1s2 2s1 Li Be 1s2 2s2

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 Na Mg 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s1 K Ca 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2

As the nuclear charge increases, the electrons go into shells further

As the nuclear charge increases, the electrons go into shells further

Atomic radius Ionic radius

ATOMIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group

ATOMIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group

• atoms of Group II are smaller than

the extra proton exerts a greater

Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ Ba2+

Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ Ba2+

IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group

Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ Ba2+

IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6

Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ Ba2+

IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group

DECREASES down Group

DECREASES down Group

Larger ions mean

DECREASES down Group

Larger ions mean

DECREASES down Group

Larger ions mean

NOTE Magnesium doesn’t fit the trend because crystalline

DECREASES down the Group

DECREASES down the Group

1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1

DECREASES down the Group

1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1

DECREASES down the Group

1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1

Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger

Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger

1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1

Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger

1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 2nd I.E. = 1500 kJ mol-1

Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger

12+ 12+ 12+

Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger

12+ 12+ 12+

OXYGEN react with increasing vigour down the group

Mg burns readily with a bright white flame

Ba burns readily with an apple-green flame

OXYGEN react with increasing vigour down the group

Mg burns readily with a bright white flame

Ba burns readily with an apple-green flame

Mg —> Mg2+ + 2e¯

WATER react with increasing vigour down the group

WATER react with increasing vigour down the group

Mg reacts very slowly with cold water

but reacts quickly with steam

WATER react with increasing vigour down the group

Mg reacts very slowly with cold water