2021-23 Curriculum

AS/A2 - Chemistry

11 – Group 2
01 – Learning Outcomes
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

You should be able to:

 describe the reactions of the Group 2 elements with
oxygen, water and dilute acids
 describe the behaviour of the oxides, hydroxides and
carbonates with water and with dilute acids
 describe the thermal decomposition of the nitrates and
carbonates
 interpret, and make predictions from, the trends in
properties of the elements and their compounds
 state the variation in the solubilities of the hydroxides
and sulfates
 describe and explain the use of calcium hydroxide and
calcium carbonate (powdered limestone) in agriculture
01 – Learning Outcomes
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Introduction
Elements from Group 2 are used in a wide range of
applications. E.g., Group 2 metals produce coloured
flames when heated, leading to their use in flares and
fireworks. Magnesium is used in powdered form in flares.
The large surface area in a fine powder increases the rate of
reaction with oxygen. In military aircraft the heat given
off from decoy magnesium flares
confuses the infrared detection
systems in missiles so enemy fire
cannot focus in and target the
aircraft.
Figure 11.1 A military plane releasing its
decoy flares to protect it from missile
attack.
01 – Physical Properties of Group 2 elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Physical Properties of Group 2 elements

► The elements in Group 2 of the Periodic Table are
sometimes referred to as the alkaline earth metals.
► As they are in Group 2, the elements have atoms whose
electronic configurations end with two electrons in their
outermost principal quantum shell. These two outer
electrons occupy an s subshell. Here are the electronic
configurations of the first five elements in Group 2:
Beryllium (Be) 1s22s2
Magnesium (Mg) 1s22s22p63s2
Calcium (Ca) 1s22s22p63s23p64s2
Strontium (Sr)
1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p65s2
Barium (Ba)
2 2 6 2 6 10 2 6 10 2 6 2
01 – Physical Properties of Group 2 elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Physical Properties of Group 2 elements

► One way of describing the size of an atom is
its metallic radius. The metallic radius is half
the distance between the nuclei in a giant
metallic lattice (Figure
11.2).
► See page 149 for other
measures that describe
the size of atoms.
Figure 11.2 The metallic radius
gives us a measure of the size of
the atoms of metallic elements.
01 – Physical Properties of Group 2 elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Physical Properties of Group 2 elements

► Look at the metallic radii of the Group 2 elements,
shown in Table 11.1. The atoms of Group 2 elements
get larger going down the group as the outer two
electrons occupy a new principal quantum shell further
from the nucleus.
Group 2 element Metallic radius / nm
beryllium (Be) 0.172
magnesium (Mg) 0.160
calcium (Ca) 0.197
strontium (Sr) 0.215
barium (Ba) 0.217
Table 11.1 The metallic radii of the Group 2 elements.
01 – Physical Properties of Group 2 elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Physical Properties of Group 2 elements

► There are also general trends in other physical
properties, such as melting point and density, shown in
Table 11.2 and Figures 11.3 and 11.4.
Group 2 element Atomic number Melting point / °C Density / g cm−3

beryllium (Be) 4 1280 1.85

magnesium (Mg) 12 650 1.74
calcium (Ca) 20 838 1.56
strontium (Sr) 38 768 2.6
barium (Ba) 56 714 3.5

Table 11.2 The melting points and densities of the Group 2

elements.
01 – Physical Properties of Group 2 elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Figure 11.3 Melting points of the Group 2 elements.

Figure 11.4 Densities of the Group 2 elements.

02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reactions of Group 2 elements

► The Group 2 metals form ionic compounds.
When they react, their atoms lose the two
electrons from their outermost s subshell and
form an ion with the stable electronic
configuration of a noble gas. This creates a 2+
ion. E.g., in the ionisation of a magnesium atom
to a magnesium ion:
Mg → Mg2+ + 2e−
oxidation number 0 +2
► The metals act as reducing agents. Their atoms
give away electrons and so they are oxidised
themselves as they react to form their 2+ ions.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

► The ionisation energies shown in Table 11.3 show how

easily the two outer electrons are removed from the
Group 2 atoms.
Group 2 element First ionisation Second ionisation
energy / kJ mol−1 energy / kJ mol−1
beryllium (Be) 900 1760
magnesium (Mg) 736 1450
calcium (Ca) 590 1150
strontium (Sr) 548 1060
barium (Ba) 502 966

Table 11.3 The first and second ionisation energies of the

Group 2 elements.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

► The metals in Group 2 get more reactive as we go down

the group. As you can see from Table 11.3, it takes less
energy (i.e. it gets easier) to remove the pair of outer
electrons going down Group 2.
► So, although the positive charge on the nucleus
increases down the group, the greater shielding effect
provided by extra inner shells of electrons and the larger
distance of the outermost electrons from the nucleus
outweigh the attraction of the higher nuclear charge.
► This helps to explain the increase in reactivity going
down the group, as it gets easier for the atoms to form
their 2+ ions.
The Group 2 metals get more reactive going down
the group.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Questions
1. a. Look at Figure 11.3.
i. What is the general trend in the melting points going
down Group 2?
ii. Which element breaks the trend?
b. Explain why the atoms in Group 2, as in any other
group, get larger with increasing atomic number.
c. Would you expect the 2+ ions of Group 2 elements to
be larger or smaller than their atoms? Explain your
answer.
d. Radium (Ra) is a radioactive element found below
barium at the bottom of Group 2. Predict:
i. its melting point
ii. its density
iii. its metallic radius.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction with Oxygen

The Group 2 metals burn in air, and more rapidly in oxygen,
forming white solid oxides. For example, magnesium ribbon
burns with a bright white flame once
ignited in a Bunsen flame
(Figure 11.5):
2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)
The magnesium oxide formed is
basic in character, as shown on
page 156. Calcium oxide, CaO,
reacts with water to form calcium
hydroxide. If water is dripped onto Figure 11.5 Magnesium
the surface of a lump of calcium ribbon reacting with
oxide it causes a vigorous reaction. oxygen in the air.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction with Oxygen

It gives off so much heat that some of the water boils off
as the solid lump appears to expand and cracks open:
CaO(s) + H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(s)
In excess water, some of the slightly soluble calcium
hydroxide dissolves to form a weakly alkaline solution.
The excess aqueous hydroxide ions in the solution result
in its pH of 11:
water
Ca(OH)2(s) → Ca2+(aq) + 2OH−
(aq)
In general, the reaction and
dissolving of the Group 2 metal
oxides in water is described by the
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction with Oxygen

The Group 2 metals get more reactive with oxygen
going down the group. The larger atoms lose their
outer two electrons more readily than the smaller
atoms in the group. The reasons for this are given
beneath Table 11.3.
The greater reactivity of barium metal is illustrated by
the fact that it must be stored under oil to keep it out of
contact with air.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction with Oxygen

The greater reactivity of barium metal is illustrated by the
fact that it must be stored under oil to keep it out of contact
with air.
Some of the Group 2 metals burn with characteristic flame
colours. It is the 2+ ions formed in the reaction that cause
the colours. We can test for calcium, strontium and barium
in compounds using flame tests. A nichrome wire, cleaned
with concentrated hydrochloric acid, is dipped into a sample
of the salt to be tested and heated in a nonluminous
Bunsen flame:
• calcium compounds give a brick-red colour
• strontium compounds give a scarlet/red colour
• barium compounds give an apple-green colour.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction with Water

We have seen on page 155 how magnesium
reacts very slowly with cold water but will
eventually form a weakly alkaline solution:
Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
Hot magnesium does react vigorously with water in
the form of steam to make magnesium oxide and
hydrogen gas (Figure 11.6):
Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g)
Calcium reacts more readily than magnesium with
water:
Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction with Water

Figure 11.6 An experiment showing magnesium reacting

with steam. The steam is given off from mineral wool
soaked in water at the right-hand end of the test tube. The
white magnesium oxide formed is visible inside the test
tube and the hydrogen gas produced in the reaction has
been ignited at the end of the straight tube.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction with Water

This reaction forms a cloudy white suspension of slightly
soluble calcium hydroxide. The calcium hydroxide that
does dissolve makes the solution weakly alkaline. The
hydrogen gas is given off at a steady
rate. Going down the group,
hydrogen gas is released more and
more rapidly by the reaction of the
element with water (Figure 11.7).

Figure 11.7 Barium reacting

vigorously with water.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

► The resulting solutions also get more alkaline going

down the group. We can explain this by looking at the
solubility of the hydroxides formed (see Table 11.4).
Group 2 element Solubility of hydroxide
at 298 K / mol / 100 g of
water
magnesium hydroxide, 2.0 × 10−5
Mg(OH)2
calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2 1.5 × 10−3
strontium hydroxide, Sr(OH)2 3.4 × 10−3
barium hydroxide, Ba(OH)2 1.5 × 10−2
Table 11.4 Solubility of the Group 2 hydroxides in water.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

► Their solubility increases on going down Group 2.

Therefore when adding and stirring magnesium hydroxide
in water to make a saturated solution, then doing the same
with barium hydroxide and water, there will be a higher
concentration of hydroxide ions in the case of the saturated
barium hydroxide solution.
► This results in a higher pH value for the barium hydroxide
solution.
Group 2 element Solubility of hydroxide at
298 K / mol / 100 g of water
magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2 2.0 × 10−5
calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2 1.5 × 10−3
strontium hydroxide, Sr(OH)2 3.4 × 10−3
barium hydroxide, Ba(OH)2 1.5 × 10−2
01 – Physical Properties of Group 2 elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

► Not all Group 2 compounds get more soluble on

descending the group. E.g., their sulfates become
less soluble – so barium sulfate is much less
soluble than magnesium sulfate. (In fact the test for
sulfate ions depends on the formation of a white
precipitate of barium sulfate, produced when
barium chloride solution is added to a solution of
the compound being tested.)
► You can read more about
the reasons why the Group
2 sulfates get less soluble
going down the group on
page 267.
01 – Physical Properties of Group 2 elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Questions
2. a. Write a balanced chemical equation,
including state symbols, for the
reaction of:
i. strontium with oxygen
ii. strontium oxide with water.
b. i. Write a balanced chemical
equation, including state symbols, for
the reaction of barium with water.
ii. Predict the pH of the solution formed
in part b i.
01 – Physical Properties of Group 2 elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Questions
2. c. Radium (Ra) is a radioactive element found below
barium at the bottom of Group 2. Predict:
i. the formula of its ion
ii. the formula of its oxide and hydroxide
iii. its first ionisation energy
iv. its reactivity compared with barium
v. the relative pH of its saturated hydroxide solution
compared with a saturated solution of calcium
hydroxide
vi. the solubility of its sulfate compared with strontium
sulfate.
d. Using Table 11.4 and the relative atomic mass data on
page 473, calculate the mass of calcium hydroxide that
will dissolve in 50 g of water at 298 K.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction of Group 2 carbonates with water and

with dilute acids
► The carbonates of magnesium, calcium, strontium
and barium are all insoluble in water. However,
they all react in dilute acid, forming a salt and water
and giving off carbon dioxide gas.
► For example, with dilute sulfuric acid:
MgCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq)
→ MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
► The magnesium sulfate salt formed in the reaction
above is soluble in water so remains in aqueous
solution, and no solid will remain in excess dilute
sulfuric acid.
02 – Reactions of Group 2 Elements
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Reaction of Group 2 carbonates with water

and with dilute acids
► However, the sulfates of the other Group 2
elements tend to form an insoluble sulfate
layer on the carbonate, preventing further
reaction after the initial effervescence of
carbon dioxide gas is seen.
► With dilute nitric acid, all the nitrate salts
formed are soluble in water. E.g.:
CaCO3(s) + 2HNO3(aq)
→ Ca(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
03 – Thermal decomposition of Group 2 carbonates and nitrates
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Thermal decomposition of Group 2 carbonates and

nitrates
► The carbonates and nitrates of the Group 2 elements
decompose when heated. The carbonates break down
to form the metal oxide and give off carbon dioxide gas.
► For example:
heat
MgCO3(s) → MgO(s) + CO2(g)
► The temperature at which thermal decomposition takes
place increases going down Group 2.
► The Group 2 nitrates also undergo thermal
decomposition. For example:
heat
2Ca(NO3)2(s) → 2CaO(s) + 4NO2(g) +
03 – Thermal decomposition of Group 2 carbonates and nitrates
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Thermal decomposition of Group 2 carbonates and

nitrates
► A brown gas is observed when a Group 2 nitrate is
heated. This is toxic nitrogen dioxide, NO2
(nitrogen(IV) oxide).
► As with the carbonates, a higher temperature is
needed to thermally decompose the nitrates as
Group 2 is descended.
► You can read an
explanation of the trend in
the thermal stability of the
Group 2 carbonates and
nitrates on page 264.
03 – Thermal decomposition of Group 2 carbonates and nitrates
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Questions
3. a. Write a balanced symbol equation for the
reaction of barium carbonate with dilute nitric acid.
b. Which one of the three compounds listed will
decompose at the lowest temperature?
i. calcium carbonate, strontium carbonate,
barium carbonate
ii. barium nitrate, calcium nitrate, magnesium
nitrate
c. Write a balanced chemical equation, including
state symbols, for the thermal decomposition of:
i. strontium carbonate
ii. barium nitrate.
04 – Some uses of Group 2 Compounds
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

► We have just seen how the Group 2 carbonates

decompose on heating. Limestone is made up mainly
of calcium carbonate.
► There are many types of limestone, which provide
useful rocks for building. They can be shaped into
blocks that can be stuck to each other using mortar.
Previously this mortar was made using lime and sand.
► Now it is more usual to use cement and sand, although
the cement is made from lime – see below. Marble is
another form of calcium
carbonate used as a
building material, for
example to make
expensive tiles.
04 – Some uses of Group 2 Compounds
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

► However, most calcium carbonate is used to make

cement. The first stage in the manufacture of cement is
the roasting of limestone in a lime kiln (Figure 11.8).
► At the high temperatures in the
kiln, calcium carbonate
decomposes to form calcium oxide
(also called lime or quicklime):

Figure 11.8 In a rotating lime kiln,

calcium carbonate undergoes thermal
decomposition to form calcium oxide
and carbon dioxide.
04 – Some uses of Group 2 Compounds
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

Questions
4. a. How is limestone turned into lime in industry?
b. Which major construction materials are made from
cement?
c. Both calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide
have giant ionic structures. Why is magnesium
oxide used to line furnaces but calcium carbonate
is not?
d. When lightning strikes during a thunderstorm, the
rain that falls is a dilute solution of nitric acid
(HNO3). Use a balanced chemical equation,
including state symbols, to show how slaked lime
(calcium hydroxide) added to soil can neutralise
nitric acid.
05 – Summary
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

 The Group 2 elements magnesium to barium are typical

metals with high melting points and they are good
conductors of heat and electricity.
 Progressing down Group 2 from magnesium to barium,
the atomic radius increases. This is due to the addition of
an extra shell of electrons for each element as the group
is descended.
 The Group 2 elements magnesium to barium react with
water to produce hydrogen gas and the metal hydroxide,
which may be only slightly soluble.
 The Group 2 elements magnesium to barium burn in air to
form white solid oxides. These oxides form hydroxides
with water. The hydroxides get more soluble in water
going down the group so their solutions can become more
alkaline.
05 – Summary
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

 The sulfates of Group 2 elements get less soluble in

water going down the group.
 Reactivity of the elements with oxygen or water
increases down Group 2 as the first and second
ionisation energies decrease.
 The Group 2 carbonates and nitrates get more resistant
to thermal decomposition descending the group.
 Many of the compounds of Group 2 elements have
important uses. Limestone, which contains mainly
calcium carbonate, is used as a building material and is
used to make cement, which is a component in the
mixtures that make concrete and mortar. Slaked lime
(calcium hydroxide) is used to neutralise acids in acidic
soil.
05 – End of Chapter Questions
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

1. Beryllium and radium are both in Group 2.

a. Write the electronic configuration of beryllium.

[2]
b. Give the equations for the reactions of beryllium
and radium with oxygen.
?
[4]
c. Using dot-and-cross diagrams, and showing the
outer electrons only, draw the electronic
configurations of beryllium and oxygen before
and after bonding.
05 – End of Chapter Questions
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

2. a. Limewater is calcium hydroxide.

i. Give the formula of calcium hydroxide.
?
[1]
ii. Explain why calcium hydroxide is used
in agriculture.
[2]
b. Exactly 0.1 moles of calcium hydroxide and
barium hydroxide are added to separate
beakers containing 100 cm3 of water and
stirred to form saturated solutions. Explain
which solution has the higher pH value.
[2]
05 – End of Chapter Questions
1 – Physical Properties 2 - Reactions 3 – Thermal Decomposition 4 – Compound Uses 5 - Questions

3. For the following reactions, state

which element is oxidised and
which one is reduced, and give ?
the changes in oxidation number.
a. Sr + Cl2 → SrCl2

[3]
b. Sr + 2H2O → Sr(OH)2 + H2