Mr.
Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Group 2 (II) (
Chapter 11
11.1 Physical properties of Group 2 elements
11.2 Reactions of Group 2 elements
11.3 Reactions with oxygen
11.4 Reactions with water
Objectives
Describe and write equations for the reactions of the
Group 2 elements with Oxygen, water and dilute acids.
Describe and write equations for the reactions of the
Group 2 Oxides, Hydroxides and carbonates with water
and with dilute acids.
Describe and write equations for the thermal
decomposition of the Group 2 nitrates and carbonates
Describe, and make predictions from, the trends in
properties of Group 2 elements and their compounds.
State the variation in the solubilities of the Group 2
Hydroxides and Sulfates.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
11.1 Physical properties of group 2 elements
Group II elements also known as (the alkaline earth metals) belong to S-block
elements that have an outer shell configuration ns²
n= principal quantum number
Group 2 elements form compounds containing M+2 ions.
In this chapter only elements from beryllium to barium in group 2 will be studied. The
radioactive radium is NOT covered.
Group two elements number of electrons electronic configuration
Beryllium 4 1s2 2s2
Magnesium 12 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
Calcium 20 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2
Strontium 38 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 5s2
Barium 56 [Xe] 6s2
The elements in S-block have unique characteristics from other metals in periodic
table because:
1. Group 2 elements all have +2 oxidation M+2
2. Within the group there is a clear trend in atomic radius, ionisation energy and
melting point.
Group II elements are reactive metals. They have low electronegativity and
are easily oxidized.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Moving down group 1 and 2
The atomic radius is the distance from the nucleus of the atom to the valence
shell
1. The atomic size increases as the atomic number increases moving down
the groups 1 and 2.
This is because moving down the group, each element has an extra shell of
electrons. Therefore, the gap between the nucleus and the outermost
electrons gradually increase.
.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
2.
➢ The first ionisation energy decreases moving down the groups
because atoms become larger.
➢ The distance between the nucleus and the outer electrons become
more shielded, therefore removing an electron is relatively easy.
For example first ionisation:
Group 2: Be (g) Be+ (g) + e (g) ∆H = +900 kJ mol-1
Group 2: Mg (g) Mg+ (g) + e (g) ∆H = + 736 kJ mol-1
Group 2: Ca (g) Ca+ (g) + e (g) ∆H = + 590 kJ mol-1
The third ionisation energy value is extremely high, this explains why group two
elements form ions of M+2 charge.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
3. Melting point decreases (atoms become larger easy to break them apart)
This is because larger ions have a lower charge density, resulting in a
weaker attraction towards the delocalized electrons within the metallic
structure.
Moving down group 2 (with increasing atomic number), the melting point
decreases.
Group 2 elements have higher melting point than group 1 because group 2
elements have twice delocalised electrons compare to group 1.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Density of group 2 elements
The density of group 2 elements increase down the group due to the increase in
atomic number. The relationship is related to the formula density = mass/volume
Electronegativity of group 2
Moving down the group 2, the distance between the nucleus and the bonded pair of
electrons increase. This causes a weaker attraction of the nucleus towards the
electrons, leading to decrease in electronegativity.
Metallic character increases with an increase in atomic number. Metals have lower
EN hence they loss electrons more readily.
11.2 reaction of Group II
Group II elements form ionic compounds when reacting. In the process;
➢ electrons from the S-sub shells of the outer-shell are donated to form +2 ions.
For example, the ionizing magnesium atom Mg results in formation of
magnesium ion Mg+2.
➢ The ions of group 2 are stable and have similar electronic configuration of
noble gases.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Group 2 metals act as reducing agent, donating 2 electrons. As a result of this, they
are oxidised themselves.
M M+2 + 2e
Mg undergoes oxidation and O undergoes reduction, Mg acts as the reducing agent
while O acts as the oxidizing agent.
The reactivity of group 2 elements increases as moving down. There are two key
factors.
1. The atomic radius increase as the number of nuclear charge increases. The
outer electrons are positioned further away from the nucleus charge.
2. The shielding effect is becoming greater because of additional shells each
time moving down the group.
These two factors collectively outweigh the nuclear attraction force.
Therefore, group 2 elements become more reactive as you move down. This is the
reason for the formation of +2 ions.
Reactions of group 2 with acids
All elements in Group II undergo reactions with acid, producing hydrogen gas and
the corresponding salt. Beryllium reacts with acids slowly and remains unreactive at
normal room temperature. Because of the strong oxide layer, if the layer is removed
it will react with acids.
The increase in reactivity within (Group II) is explained by looking into the reactions
between magnesium to barium with hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in which salt
and hydrogen gas are produced.
Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
Ca (g) + 2HCl (aq) CaCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Magnesium reacts with sulfuric acid in a similar way as it does with HCl
Mg (s) + H2SO4 (aq) MgSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)
The reaction becomes more vigorous (rate of reaction is increasing) as you move
down the group and larger volume of gas is produced.
The reaction between:
Calcium, strontium, and barium with sulfuric acid initially proceeds rapidly, but then
slows down as a result of the formation of a protective layer of sulphate on the
surface of the salt.
This layer prevents the further forming of H2 gas. In the case of strontium and
barium, their solubility in sulfuric acid is significantly lower due to the complete
coverage of the metal by a sulphate layer.
Ca (s) + H2SO4 (aq) CaSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)
Note:
The reactions of elements of group 2 with hydrochloric acid (HCl) is different to
sulfuric acid (H2SO4). In reaction with sulphuric acid, an insoluble layer of sulphate
is formed stopping further reaction.
11. 3 Reactions of group (II) element with
oxygen
Generally, group 2 metals undergo combustion reaction with oxygen to produce a
basic metal oxide.
However, beryllium does not readily react with oxygen due to the presence of a
strong thin layer of oxide, which acts as a barrier to further reaction.
Group 2 metals loss two electrons forming postive ions M M+2 + 2e
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
M = any metal from group 2.
The metals in group 2 are reducing agents, donating 2 electrons and they are
oxidised.
➢ The oxides of group 2 are mainly white solid ionic compounds
➢ The oxides are less soluble in water. Because the energy of dissoultion is
high compare to group 1 oxides.
2Be (s) + O2 (g) 2BeO (s) Burns with white flame
2Mg (s) + O2 (g) 2MgO (s) Burns with brilliant white flame
2Ca (s) + O2 (g) 2CaO (s) Burns with brick red flame
2Sr (s) + O2 (g) 2SrO (s) Burns with scarlet/red flame
2Ba(s) + O2(g) 2BaO(s) Burns with apple green flame
Both beryllium and magnesium colour do not produce flame because their emission
lies outside the visible region of electromagnetic radiation.
Barium is highly reactive metal hence it is usually stored under oil to prevent contact
with air.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
S-block flame test, why the need for flame test to detect ions?
The chlorides of group 1 and 2 (such as MgCl2, CaCl2, SrCl2, BaCl2) for the
exception of BaCl2, are soluble in water and form ions.
Because of their solubility in water, they can not be determined through precipitation
reaction. Therefore, flame test is an alternative method to identify unknown
compounds.
How it is done?
A nichrome wire cleaned using HCl solution and dipped into a salt solution to be
tested and heated in a non-luminous Bunsen flame.
11.4 Reactions of group II with water (H2O)
The elements in Group II react with water to produce hydroxides and hydrogen gas
except for beryllium .
Beryllium does not react with cold water nor does with steam water at high
temperature because there an oxide layer on the surface of (Be) preventing from
further reacting. At higher temperature extreme approximately (700-800 ⁰C) there is
a reaction. Beryllium is an expensive metal that is not easily accessible.
Be + H2O (liquid) No reaction
Be + H2O (hot steam) No reaction
at 700-800℃ there is a reaction.
Magnesium reacts with cold water extremely slow, only small volume of hydrogen
gas and a weak magnesium alkaline solution are formed. The reaction eventually
stops because magnesium hydroxide layer is insoluble stops the reaction further.
Mg (s) + H2O (l) Mg(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g) pH 9-10 weak
alkaline
The reaction between magnesium and hot steam water is rapid, forming Magnesium
oxide (MgO) and hydrogen gas (H2).
Due to the thermal decomposition of the hydroxide (OH) is formed initially.
Mg(s) + H2O(g) MgO(s) + H2(g) This reaction is
extremely fast
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Reactivity of group 2 with water INCREASE down the group.
As the reactivity increases moving down the group 2 elements, the elements become
more soluble in water.
Because:
1. Atomic radius increase
2. Atoms become larger, the electrons are further away from nucleus charge
3. Shielding is greater and force of attraction is weaken hence electrons can be
removed easily.
Note: the word reactivity refers to the rate of reaction, which is the disappearance of
metal and the volume of the gas produced.
Trend in reactivity down group 2
Magnesium reactivity
Calcium increases down
Strontium the group
Barium
Ca (s) + H2O (l) Ca(OH) (aq) + H2 (g)
Sr (s) + H2O (l) Sr(OH) (aq) + H2 (g)
Ba (s) + H2O (l) Ba(OH) (aq) + H2 (g)
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
For calcium reacting with water, the Ca(OH)2 will appear as a white precipitate and
will also create a weakly alkaline solution due to its limited solubility.
Calcium hydroxide solution also known as limewater.
11.4 Reactions of Oxides of group 2 with water
Reactions of group 2 oxides with water
Oxide + water Hydroxide
With the exception of beryllium,
All Group II oxides react with water to a certain degree, forming their respective
hydroxides solutions.
All the oxides of group 2 are basic oxides reacting with acids to produce salt and
water,.
except for beryllium oxide (BeO) which is amphoteric.
The only oxide in group 2 to form a strong hydroxide solution is barium oxide.
BaO (s) + H2O Ba(OH)2 (aq)
Magnesium oxide has limited solubility in water, resulting in the formation of a weak
alkaline solution.
MgO (s) + H2O (l) Mg(OH)2 (aq)
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
A saturated solution of magnesium hydroxide are weakly alkaline that has a pH of
10. Because the concentration of OH- is very low
Saturated solutions:
A solution that has dissolved the maximum amount of solute it can hold. At a specific
temperature, a saturated solution cannot dissolve any more solute.
Calcium oxide reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide
CaO (s) + H2O (l) Ca(OH)2 (aq)
Adding water to a piece of calcium oxide, a large amount of heat is released
(exothermic reaction)
CaO (s) + H2O (l) Ca(OH)2 (s) + Heat
The calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 is slightly more alkaline than magnesium hydroxide,
because of the larger amount of OH- ion present in Ca(OH)2.
SrO (s) + H2O Sr(OH)2 (aq)
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
The reactions of group 2 oxides with water is
expressed as:
O-2(s) + H2O (l) 2OH- (aq)
Reactivity and solubility of oxides in water producing M(OH)2 increase down the group
MgO MgO (s) + H2O Mg(OH)2 Ionic radius also increases as atoms
CaO CaO (s) + H2O Ca(OH)2 become larger hence less energy
dissociate compounds.
SrO SrO (s) + H2O Sr(OH)2
lattice energy or enthalpy becomes
BaO BaO (s) + H2O Ba(OH)2 lower (energy needed to break ionic
compounds into its ions)
As you go down the group, the metals become larger and have a lower charge
density due to their larger atomic radius.
This leads to the formation of more ionic compounds.
For example, beryllium oxide (BeO) is a covalent compound, while barium oxide
(BaO) is mainly ionic. Ionic compounds tend to be more soluble in water than
covalent compounds due to the ability of water to stabilize ions in solution.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Reactions of hydroxides of group 2 with water
Group II hydroxides M(OH)2 have low solubility and slow reactivity with water. They
are sparingly soluble and the solubility of these hydroxides increase as going down
the Group.
Mg(OH)2 (s) water Mg+2 (aq) + 2OH- (aq) dissolving in water increases the pH 9
Ca(OH)2 (s) water Ca+2 (aq) + 2OH- (aq) dissolves in water (producing limewater)
Sr(OH)2 (s) water Sr+2 (aq) + 2OH- (aq) dissolves in water (alkaline solution
produced).
Barium hydroxide is fully ionisable in water
Ba(OH) (aq) ⇌ Ba+2 (aq) + 2OH- (aq)
Saturated of these hydroxide are weakly basic because there is only low
concentration of aqueous hydroxide present.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
In general solubility of these hydroxides increases as you move down the group
Because:
Atomic number increase Ionic Radius:
As you move down the group, the size of the group 2 metal cations (e.g.,
magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium) increases. Larger cations have lower
charge density, which means that they exert a weaker electrostatic attraction on the
hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in the solid lattice. This makes it easier for the lattice to break
apart and for the compound to dissolve.
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Reactions of hydroxides of group 2 with acids
S-blocks including group 1 oxides and hydroxides are basic; they can act as
Bronsted bases (they can accept a proton from a proton donor Bronsted acids
remember!).
That means the hydroxides of group 2 react with dilute acids to form water and salt.
Magnesium hydroxide powder reacts with HCl and H2SO4
Hydroxide + dilute acid a salt + water
Mg(OH)2 (s) + HCl (aq) MgCl2 (aq) + H2O (l)
Mg(OH)2 (s) + H2SO4 MgCl2 (aq) + H2O (l)
Ba(OH)2 (aq) + 2HCl (aq) BaCl2 (aq) + 2H2O (l)
Ba(OH)2 (aq) + H2SO4 (aq) BaSO4 (aq) + 2H2O (l)
The barium sulphate forms as a white precipitate, unlike the soluble barium chloride
(a colourless solution)
All group 2 oxides and hydroxides (except for barium) are classed as weak bases
with limited solubility in water.
The solubility increases as the atomic number of the metal increases.
Group 2 carbonates
The group 2 carbonates have the general formula of MCO3 or XCO3.
Where, M or X represent the metals magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium.
Metal carbonates (XCO3) all are insoluble in water.
Hello, I am insoluble in water don’t saturate me, get your own dust
Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3)
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
strontium carbonate (SrCO3)
Barium carbonate (BaCO3)
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Metal carbonates of group 2 all react with dilute acids to produce salt, water and
carbon dioxide.
MgCO3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) MgSO4 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
The magnesium sulphate of this solution is soluble in water.
No solid of MgCO3 is remained in excess dilute acid from the above reaction
The Sulfates formed from other carbonates of group 2 are much less soluble in
water, form precipitates.
CaCO3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) CaSO4 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
SrCO3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) SrSO4 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
BaCO3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) BaSO4 (s) + CO2 + H2O
The solubility of the sulphates of group 2 decreasing down the group, because of the
strong sulphate layer formed on the surface of the metal carbonates. Initial reaction
is rapid then it stops.
This reaction with dilute HCl acids produces soluble salt (BaCl2)
BaCO3 (s) + HCl (aq) BaCl2 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
11.4 Thermal decomposition of Group 2
Thermal decomposition of Group 2 Carbonates (salt).
➢ Thermal stability describes how easily a compound decomposes when heated
for example, metal carbonates (XCO3) or metal nitrates (XNO3).
X = any metal from group 2
➢ Increased thermal stability means a higher temperature is needed to
decompose the compound.
Heating Group 2 carbonates decomposes into:
➢ Metal oxide (MO)
➢ and carbon dioxide (CO2).
The thermal stability of carbonates of group 2 are different and decompose at a
different temperature. The order as follows:
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Magnesium < calcium < strontium < barium
Decomposition temperature
increase down the group
MgCO3 (s) Heat MgO (s) + CO2 (g)
CaCO3 (s) Heat CaO (s) + CO2 (g)
SrCO3 (s) Heat SrO (s)+ CO2 (g)
BaCO3 (s) Heat BaO (s) + CO2 (g)
The thermal stability of the group 2 carbonates increase as we move down the
group.
This means their thermal decomposition deceases. Hence, a greater amount of heat
is needed to separate the compound.
Moving down the Group, the size of the cation (M+2) increases while the anion size
remains constant (CO3-2). This results in a decrease in the charge density.
Therefore, the compound becomes more stable upon heating.
Thermal decomposition of Nitrates of Group 2
Nitrates are compounds containing ion of (NO3-).
Heating any group 2 nitrates produces:
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
➢ Metal oxide,
➢ a toxic gas nitrogen dioxide (NO2) a brown colour
➢ and oxygen.
CaNO3 (s) Heat 2CaO (s) + NO2 (g) + O2 (g).
Mg(NO3)2 (s) Heat MgO (s) + NO2 (g) + O2 (g)
Thermal stability of Group II nitrates increases down the Group. This is
because the cation size increases down the Group, this reduces the charge
density and polarising power of cation. The nitrate ion is less polarised and the
compound is more stable.
Magnesium nitrate: Mg(NO3)2 Thermal stability increases for
nitrates down the group, which
Calcium nitrate: Ca(NO3)2
means you need more heat to
strontium nitrate: Sr(NO3)2 decomposed them (break them
apart)
Barium nitrate: Ba(NO3)2
Thermal stability: describes how easily a compound decomposes when heated for
example, metal carbonates (XCO3) or metal nitrates (XNO3).
X = metals from group 2
Increased thermal stability means a higher temperature is needed to decompose the
compound.
Group 2 Carbonates and
Nitrates
Mg MgCO3 Heat MgO(s) + CO2 Thermal
stability
Ca CO3-2 CaCO3 Heat CaO + CO2 increase down
the group
Sr SrCO3 Heat SrO + CO2 The
decomposition
Ba BaCO3 Heat BaO + CO2 becomes
harder
Mg+2 Mg(NO3)2 Heat MgO +NO2 +O2 Thermal
stability
Ca+2 NO3- Ca(NO3)2 Heat CaO + NO2 + O2 increase down
the group
Sr+2 Sr(NO3)2 Heat SrO + NO2 + O2
The
Ba+2 Ba(NO3)2 Heat BaO + NO2 + O2 decomposition
is harder
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025
Summery:
Mr. Farhad
AS Level chemistry
CISK 2024/2025