Inorganic Chemistry (Topic 4) Flashcards
What ions do group 2 elements form when they react
+2 ions
How do group 2 elements form ions
Group 2 metals lose 2 electrons to form +2 ions.
What is the general similarity in group 2 electron configuration
Group 2 metals all have 2 electrons in their outer shell, configurations that end in s²
Be - ends in 2s²
Mg - ends in 3s²
Ca - ends in 4s²
What happens to ATOMIC RADIUS as we go DOWN group 2
Atomic radius INCREASES as we go down group 2.
Why does atomic radius increase as we go down group 2
Extra electron shells are added to the atom as we go down group 2.
What happens to 1st ionisation energy as we go down group 2
1st ionisation energy DECREASES as we go DOWN group 2
Why does 1st ionisation energy decrease as you go down group 2
Extra shells are added as we go down group 2.
The outer electrons are further from the nucleus which weakens attraction.
There is more shielding, hence weaker attraction between nucleus and outer electrons.
Both of these factors make it easier to remove the outer electron, so less energy is needed to remove the outer electron.
Protons number increases as we go down, which should increase ionisation energy, but shielding effect overrides this increase in positive charge.
What is 1st ionisation energy
The energy required to remove the 1st electron from the outer shell of an atom, ionising it.
What is shielding
When there is an increase in the electron shells of an atom, the outer electrons are shielded from the nucleus by these shells, so there is less attraction between the nucleus and the outer electrons.
What should increase 1st ionisation energy as we go down group 2, and why does it not increase it
We have an increase in the number of protons as we go down the group, so there should be more electrostatic attraction between these protons and the electrons as we go down, increasing 1st ionisation energy.
However, the shielding effect overrides an increase in positive charge.
What happens when group 2 elements react with water
They form bases. Specifically, they react with water to form water hydroxides + hydrogen
Sr(s) + 2H2O(l) -> Sr(OH)_2(aq) + H_2(g)
So Calcium + Water –> Calcium Hydroxide + Hydrogen
What happens to reactivity with water of group 2 elements as we go down
As we go down group 2, reactivity with water increases. So Be does not react with water, but Sr and Ba react quite strongly with water.
What reacts with water more vigorously, group 1 or group 2 elements
The most reactive group 1 elements, the ones at the top of group 1, react more violently with water than the most reactive group 2 elements, the ones at the bottom of group 2.
Why does reactivity with water increase as we go down group 2
Atoms get larger, which means more electron shells, and electron is further away from nucleus. There is more shielding. Outer electrons are easier to remove, hence the metal is more reactive.
How does magnesium react with cold water
Mg reacts slowly with cold water
How does magnesium react with steam, and what does the reaction produce
Mg reacts vigorously with steam. This produces Magnesium Oxide, MgO, instead of a hydroxide.
How can you tell if an element is reacting with steam rather than water
It will be H2O(g) with a gas state symbol
What do group 2 elements form when they react with oxygen
Group 2 elements react with oxygen to form metal oxides (which are bases)
2Mg(s) + O_2(g) -> 2MgO(s)
What happens to magnesium and oxygen in terms of oxidation number in the reaction between them
2Mg(s) + O_2(g) -> 2MgO(s)
Oxidation number of Mg increases from 0 to +2. Magnesium is being oxidised.
Oxidation number of O decreases from 0 to -2. Oxygen is being reduced.
2Mg(s) + O_2(g) -> 2MgO(s)
This is a redox reaction
What happens when you put a magnesium ribbon in a flame
You get a brilliant white flame, and a white powder is produced.
What do group 2 oxides look like
All group 2 elements are white solids.
What do group 2 elements form when they react with chlorine
They form metal chlorides.
Mg(s) + Cl_2(g) -> MgCl_2(s)
What happens to magnesium and chlorine in terms of oxidation number in the reaction between them
Oxidation number of Mg increases from 0 to +2. Mg is oxidised. Oxidation number of Cl decreases from 0 to -1. Cl is being reduced. This is a redox reaction.
Mg(s) + Cl_2(g) -> MgCl_2(s)
What do group 2 OXIDES, like SrO, BaO,
form when they react with water
Alkaline solutions are formed.
The metal hydroxide formed dissociates into ions which make the solution alkaline.
SrO(s) + H2O(l) -> Sr(OH)_2(aq)
SrO(s) + H2O(l) -> Sr^2+(aq) + 2OH^- (aq)