Group 2 - the alkaline metals Flashcards
How reactive are they?
Fairly reactive, less reactive than group 1
Atomic radius trend down group 2
- Increases down group 2 due to more electron shielding so electron becomes further away from nucleus
Ionisation energy trend down group 2
- 1st ionisation energy decreases down, as atomic radius and shielding increases so electron is easier to remove as less attraction between electron and nucleus
Melting point trend down group 2
- Decrease down group
- Because delocalised electrons further away from nucelus
- Further down the group the weaker the attraction between between nucleus and delocalised electrons
How does magnesium react with water and give the equation?
- Very slowly
- Magnesium hydroxide formed
- Mg + 2H2O(l) –> Mg(OH)2 + H2
How does magnesium react with steam and give the equation?
- Reacts readily with steam
- Magnesium oxide formed
- Mg + H20(g) –> MgO + H2O
Why is magensium oxide formed rather than magnesium hydroxide with steam?
- As hydroxide not stable at higher temperatures
- It thermally decomposes to give magnesium oxide and water
How do calcium, strontium and barium react with water?
- They produce metal hydroxides and hydrogen
- The reactivity of the reaction increases as group descends
- Calcium releases bubbles of hydrogen and a white ppt
- Strontium more reactive than calcium, less white ppt formed, barium even less white ppt formed
Give equations of Ba, Sr, and Ca with water
- Ca + 2H2O —> Ca(OH)2 + H2
- Sr + 2H2O —> Sr(OH)2 + H2
- Ba + 2H2O —> Ba(OH)2 + H2
Solubility of group 2 hydroxides in water
- Become more soluble down the group
- Magnesium hydroxide sparingly soluble as solution slightly alkaline indicating some hydroxide ions are dissolved in the water
Observations of Ca2+ with sodium hydroxide
White ppt of calcium hydroxide
Observations of Mg2+ with sodium hydroxide
Thick white ppt of magnesium hydroxide
Observations of Sr2+ with sodium hydroxide
Thin white ppt of strontium hydroxide
Observations of Ba2+ sodium hydroxide
Very thin white ppt of barium hydroxide
Solubility of group 2 sulfates in water
- Decrease in solubility down the group
- Calcium sulfate said to be sparingly soluble and barium sulfate insoluble