Chapter 8 Flashcards
What is the outer shell electron configuration of group 2 atoms and ions?
What is the reactivity series for group 2 elements?
What is the most common type of reaction of group 2 elements?
Redox reactions
What happens in a redox reaction involving metals?
Each metal atom is oxidised, losing two electrons to form a 2+ ion with the electron configuration of a noble gas
How do group 2 elements react with oxygen?
The group 2 elements react in a redox reaction with oxygen to form a metal oxide with general formula MO. The metal oxidises whilst the oxygen reduces.
2Mg(s) + O2(g) –> 2MgO(s)
How do group 2 elements react with water?
They react in a redox reaction with water to form an alkaline hydroxide, with the general formula M(OH)2, and hydrogen gas.
Sr(s) + 2H2O(l) –> Sr(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
How does the reactivity of group 2 metals with water vary?
Reactivity increases down the group as the reaction with water becomes more vigorous
How do group 2 elements react with dilute acids?
Many metals take part in redox reactions with dilute acids to form a salt and hydrogen gas.
Metal + acid –> salt + hydrogen
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) –> MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
How does the reactivity of group 2 metals with acid vary?
Similar to water, reactivity increases down the group
What is the trend in reactivity for group 2 elements in terms of the first and second ionisation energies?
Reactivity increases down group 2 as a result of the ionisation energies decreasing down the group. They decrease because the attraction between the nucleus and the outer electrons decreases as a result of increasing atomic radius and increased shielding.
As they become more reactive, they also become stronger reducing agents.
Give a general equation for the second ionisation energy of a group 2 element:
M+(g) –> M2+(g) + e-
How do group 2 compounds react with water?
The oxides of group 2 elements react with water, releasing hydroxide ions and forming alkaline solutions of the metal hydroxide.
The hydroxides are only slightly soluble in water, so once the solution becomes saturated, any further metal and hydroxide ions will form a solid precipitate.
CaO(s) + H2O(l) –> Ca2+ (aq) + 2OH- (aq)
Ca2+ (aq) + 2OH- (aq) –> Ca(OH)2(s)
What is the trend in solubility of the group 2 hydroxides in water?
The solubility of the hydroxides in water increases down the group
What is the trend in alkalinity of the group 2 hydroxides?
Describe the solubility and alkalinity of magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is only slightly soluble in water and is the least soluble out of the group 2 compounds. The solution has a low hydroxide concentration and a pH of 10
Describe the solubility and alkalinity of barium hydroxide
Barium hydroxide is very soluble in water and the most soluble out of the group 2 compounds. The solution has a greater hydroxide concentration and a pH of 13
What method is used to show the trend in alkalinity of the group 2 compounds?
- Add a spatula of each group 2 oxide to water in a test tube
- Shake the mixture. A white precipitate should have formed and settled at the bottom of the test tube
- Measure the pH of each solution, and the alkalinity will be seen to increase down the group
How are group 2 compounds used in agriculture?
They are added to fields by farmers to increase the pH of acidic soils. They neutralise the acid to form neutral water.
Ca(OH)2(s) + 2H+(aq) –> Ca2+(aq) + 2H2O(l)