Redox and the Periodic Table Flashcards
What is a period?
A horizontal row of elements in the Periodic Table. Elements show trends in properties across a period.
What is a group?
A vertical column in the Periodic Table. Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties and their atoms have the same number of outer shell electrons, and the same type of orbitals.
What is periodicity?
A regular periodic variation of properties of elements with atomic number and position in the Periodic Table.
What is the most important factor across a period?
Nuclear charge.
What are the most important factors down a group?
Atomic radius and electron shielding.
What are the general properties of Group 2 elements?
Reasonably high melting and boiling points; light metals with low densities; form colourless compounds.
Why are the elements in Group 2 commonly called the alkaline earth metals?
They all have hydroxides that are alkaline.
How does reactivity change down Group 2?
It increases, as it gets easier to lose electrons, because of the decrease in ionisation energies.
Describe the reaction of a Group 2 elements with oxygen. What is the equation for the reaction of calcium with oxygen?
They react to form an ionic oxide, with the general formula MO. It is a redox reaction. They react vigorously.
2Ca(g) + O₂(g) → 2CaO(s)
Describe the reaction of Group 2 elements with water. What is the equation for the reaction of calcium with water?
They react to form hydroxides with the general formula M(OH)₂ and hydrogen gas. Magnesium reacts slowly with water, but they get more vigorous down the group.
Ca(s) + 2H₂O(l) → Ca(OH)₂(aq) + H₂(g)
What is an oxidation number?
A measure of the number of electrons that an atom uses to bond with atoms of another element.
What is the oxidation number of a uncombined element?
0
What is the oxidation number of combined oxygen?
-2
What is the oxidation number of combined hydrogen?
+1
What is the oxidation number of a simple ion?
The charge on the ion.
What is the oxidation number of combined fluorine?
-1