Group 2

Question 1

What is a common name given to group 2 metals?

Answer 1

Alkaline earth metals

Question 2

What is the most reactive metal of group 2?

Answer 2

Barium

Question 3

List 3 physical properties of group 2 metals

Answer 3

• high melting and boiling points
• low density metals
• form colourless (white) compounds

Question 4

The highest energy electrons of group 2 metals are in which subshell?

Answer 4

S subshell

Question 5

Does reactivity increase or decrease down group 2? Why?

Answer 5

• increases
• electrons are lost more easily because larger atomic radius and more shielding

Question 6

What happens to the first ionisation energy as you go down group 2? Why?

Answer 6

Decreases because:
- no. Filled electron shells increases down the group —> increased shielding
- increased atomic radius —> weaker force between outer electron and nucleus —> less energy needed to remove electron

Question 7

What type of reaction is the reaction between group 2 elements and oxygen?

Answer 7

Redox reaction

Question 8

Write an equation for the reaction of calcium and oxygen

Answer 8

2Ca (s) + O2 (g) —> 2CaO (s)

Question 9

What are the products when group 2 elements react with water?

Answer 9

Hydroxide and hydrogen gas

Question 10

Which group 2 element doesn’t react with water?

Answer 10

Beryllium

Question 11

Which group 2 element reacts very slowly with water?

Answer 11

Magnesium

Question 12

What type of reaction is between group 2 metal and water?

Answer 12

Redox reaction

Question 13

Write an equation for the reaction of barium and water

Answer 13

Ba (s) + H2O (l) —> Ba(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Question 14

What is oxidised and what is reduced in a reaction between group 2 metal and water?

Answer 14

Metal —> oxidised
One hydrogen atom from each water—> reduced

Question 15

What are the products when a group 2 element react with a dilute acid?

Answer 15

Salt and hydrogen gas

Question 16

Write an equation for the reaction of calcium and hydrochloric acid

Answer 16

Ca (s) + 2HCl (aq) —> CaCl2 (s) + H2 (g)

Question 17

What is formed when group 2 oxides react with water?

Answer 17

Metal hydroxide

Question 18

Write an equation for the reaction between a group 2 oxide and water

Answer 18

MO (s) + H2O (l) —> M(OH)2 (aq)

Question 19

What group 2 metal oxide is insoluble in water?

Answer 19

Beryllium oxide

Question 20

What is the trend in hydroxide solubility down group 2?

Answer 20

Increases down the group
Mg(OH)2 is slightly soluble
Ba(OH)2 creates a strong alkaline solution

Question 21

What is Ca(OH)2 used for? Write an equation related to one of its uses.

Answer 21

Used to neutralise soil.
Ca(OH)2 (aq) + 2HCl (aq) —> 2H2O (l) + CaCl2 (aq)

Question 22

What is Mg(OH)2 used for?

Answer 22

Milk of magnesia - antacid to treat indigestion, heartburn, etc.

Question 23

What is calcium carbonate used for?

Answer 23

Present in limestone and marble
Used in building construction

Question 24

What is the drawback of using calcium carbonate in construction? Write a related equation.

Answer 24

Group 2 carbonate react with acid
CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) —> CaCl2 (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)