Module 3 - 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.
● Less of a intermolecular attraction between the nucleus and electrons

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Decreases because:
-Number of 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 the
reaction 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) + 2H2O (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 reacts with an
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 carbonates react with acid
CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) → CaCl2 (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)