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Dunman High School


Year 5 H2 Chemistry 2013

Lecture Outline
1.

Introduction

2.

Atomic and Physical Properties


2.1 Atomic and Ionic Radii
2.2 Ionisation Energy
2.3 Electronegativity
2.4 Melting and Boiling Points
2.5 Hardness and Density

3.

Chemical Properties of Group II Metals


3.1 Good Reducing Agents
3.2 Reactivity
3.3 Reaction of Metal with Oxygen
3.4 Reaction of Metal with Water

4.

Properties of Group II Compounds


4.1 Reaction of Group II Oxides with Water
4.2 Thermal Decomposition of Group II Nitrates and Carbonates
4.3 Trend in Thermal Stability of Nitrates and Carbonates

5.

Diagonal Relationship

6.

Uses of Group II Compounds

Learning

Outcomes

Candidates should be able to:


(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

describe the reactions of the elements with oxygen and water


describe the behaviour of the oxides with water
interpret and explain qualitatively the trend in the thermal stability of the nitrates in terms of the
charge density of the cation and the polarisability of the large anion
interpret, and make predictions from, the trends in physical and chemical properties of the
elements and their compounds

References

Chemistry for Advanced level, Peter Cann & Peter Hughes, 1st Edition, John McMurray (Publishers) Ltd
Chemistry, 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill

Useful Websites
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/group2menu.html
http://sockkhim.edu.glogster.com/properties-of-grp-ii-compounds/
http://sockkhim.edu.glogster.com/group-ii-physical-properties/
http://sockkhim.edu.glogster.com/chemistry-properties-of-group-ii-metals/

Group II Elements

1.

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

INTRODUCTION

The Group II elements are also known as the alkaline earth metals for two reasons:
a)

Their oxides (white solids) form alkaline solutions when dissolved in water.
CaO(s)
lime

H2O(l)

Ca(OH)2(s)
slaked lime

Ca(OH)2(s)
slaked lime

H2O(l)

Ca(OH)2(aq)
limewater (alkali)

b)

In ancient times, alchemists attempted to obtain pure metals from their ores by heating.
They often encountered the Group II oxides in their furnaces. As these Group II oxides
melt at very high temperatures, they remained as solids in these alchemists fires.
Hence, these solids were referred to as earth which to the alchemists were materials
which did not melt just like the sand and soil due to their extremely high melting points.

Electronic Configuration

Element

Electronic Configuration

Short
Form

1st IE

2nd IE

3rd IE

Be

1s2 2s2

[He] 2s2

900

1760

14800

Mg

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2

[Ne] 3s2

736

1450

7740

Ca

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

[Ar] 4s2

590

1150

4940

Sr

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p65s2

[Kr] 5s2

548

1060

4120

Ba

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d105s2 5p6 6s2

[Xe] 6s2

502

966

3390

Table 1: Electronic configuration and ionisation energies of Group II elements

Their outermost shell electronic configuration is ns2.

These elements form ions with +2 charge by losing their 2 outermost electrons.

M
Eg.

M2+

+ 2e

Be

Be2+ +

2e

Mg

Mg2+ +

2e

They exist as silvery grey metals which tarnish readily in air.

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Why should the Group II metals have a fixed oxidation state of +2?

Question:

The +2 oxidation state:

The outermost 2 electrons in the ns shell are easily removed as they are shielded from
the nucleus by the inner core electrons. Hence +2 oxidation state is easily and mainly
formed.

The +1 oxidation state:

It is known that MX compounds will disproportionate readily to give MX2 and M.


2MX

MX2

As a result of greater lattice energy (|I.E|.

q q

r r

M
), MX2 compounds are more stable

than MX compounds.
The +3 oxidation state:

The +3 oxidation state is not possible as the 3rd IE is significantly greater than either 1st
or 2nd IE. As the 3rd electron would be removed from an inner quantum shell, this
process requires too much energy which cannot be compensated by the higher lattice
energy of MX3 compounds.

2.

ATOMIC AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES


Element

Boiling
Point/ OC

Melting
Point/ OC

Atomic
Radius/ nm

Ionic
Radius/ nm

Density/
g cm3

Be
Mg
Ca
Sr
Ba

2477
1100
1487
1380
1640

1280
650
850
768
714

0.112
0.160
0.197
0.215
0.217

0.031
0.065
0.099
0.113
0.135

1.84
1.73
1.55
2.63
3.51

Mg

Ca

Sr

Ba

0.16
0.065

0.20
0.099

0.21
0.11

0.22
0.14

Table 2: Physical properties of group II elements

2.1

Atomic and Ionic radii

Atomic radius/nm
0.11
Ionic radius/nm
0.031

Trend:

Atomic and ionic radii increase down the group.

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Reason: Down the group,

Electrons are added up to a higher level shell.


Significant increase in screening effect outweighs increase in nuclear charge due
to a greater number of inner core electrons.
Hence, effective nuclear charge decreases down the group.
This results in weaker electrostatic attraction between nucleus and outermost
electrons.
Thus, valence electrons are progressively further away from the nucleus, leading to
larger atomic and ionic radii down the group.

2.2

Ionisation Energies

(Also see Table 1 on page 2 for ionisation energy values).

Trend:

Ionisation energies decrease down the group.

Reason: Down the group,


Electrons are added up to a higher level shell.

Same as explanation for


decrease in atomic radius
down the group.

Significant increase in screening effect outweighs increase in nuclear charge due


to a greater number of inner core electrons.
Hence, effective nuclear charge decreases down the group.
This results in weaker electrostatic attraction between nucleus and outermost
electrons.
Thus, valence electrons are progressively further away from the nucleus and
lesser amount of energy needed to remove valence electrons.
4

Group II Elements

2.3

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Electronegativity
It is the ability of an atom in a molecule to attract electrons to itself.

Electronegativity:

Trend:

Be
1.5

Mg
1.2

Ca
1.0

Sr
1.0

Ba
0.9

Electronegativity decreases down the group.

Same as explanation for


decrease in atomic radius
down the group.

Reason: Down the group,


Electrons are added up to a

higher

level shell.

Significant increase in screening effect outweighs increase in nuclear charge.


Effective nuclear charge decreases down the group.
Atomic radius increases down the group.
Electronattracting power of atom progressively decreases.

Quickcheck 1:

State and explain why the atomic radius of Ba is greater than Mg.

Reason: Ba is below Mg in group II , down the group:


Electrons are added up to a higher level shell, hence significant increase in screening
effect outweighs increase in nuclear charge.
Effective nuclear charge: Ba < Mg
Electrostatic attraction between nucleus and outer electrons: Ba < Mg
In Ba, the valence electrons are further away from nucleus than Mg.
Atomic radius: Ba > Mg

Group II Elements

2.4

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Melting and Boiling Points

(Also see Table 2 on page 3 for melting and boiling points values).

a) Trend:

High melting and boiling points

Reason:

Group II metals have giant metallic structures.


Large amount of energy required to overcome strong electrostatic attraction
between cations and the sea of delocalised electrons.

b) Trend:

Melting and boiling points decrease down the group

Reason: Down the group,


Ionic radius increases.
Same number of valence electrons (i.e. 2) are contributed per atom for metallic
bonding.
Weaker electrostatic attraction between cations and sea of delocalised electrons.
Hence, metallic bond strength progressively decreases.

Group II Elements

c) Trend:

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Melting point of Group II elements are lower than those of transition elements

Fe

Co

Ni

Cu

1550

1492

1453

1083

Atomic Radius/nm:

0.116

0.116

0.115

0.117

Group II Elements:

Be

Mg

Ca

Sr

1280

650

850

768

0.112

0.160

0.197

0.215

Transition Elements:
Melting Point/oC:

Melting Point / C:
Atomic Radius/nm:
Reason:

Group II elements:
Contribute only 2 valence electrons per atom for metallic bonding
Bigger ionic radii

Transition Elements:
Contribute more than 2 valence electrons (4s and 3d electrons)
per atom for metallic bonding
Smaller ionic radii
Relatively weaker electrostatic attraction between cations and sea of delocalised
electrons in Group II elements.
Hence, weaker metallic bond strength in Group II elements.
(Also to be discussed in The Introduction to the Chemistry of Transition Elements)

2.5

Hardness and Density


Hardness of metals decreases down the group due to weaker metallic bonds.
Density of Group II metals generally increasing down the group. The reason is that
the mass increases faster than the volume on going down the group.
(See Table 2 on page 3 for density values).

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

3.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GROUP II METALS

3.1

Reactivity

Trend:

Reactivity of Group II elements increases down the group

Reason: Down the group,


Weaker electrostatic attraction exists between nucleus and valence electrons.
Valence electrons are further away from the nucleus and easier to be removed
down the group.
Reactivity (in undergoing oxidation) progressively increases.

3.2

Good Reducing Agents

a)

Group II elements are good reducing agents

The E [standard redox potential] value is a measure of the tendency of the species
to undergo reduction.

2+

Be (aq)
Mg2+ (aq)
Ca2+ (aq)
Sr2+ (aq)
Ba2+ (aq)

Mn+ + ne

Element
+
2e
+
2e
+
2e
+
2e
+
2e

Be(s)
Mg(s)
Ca(s)
Sr(s)
Ba(s)

Standard Electrode Potential, E/V


1.85
2.37
2.87
2.89
2.91

Table 3: Standard electrode potential values

The more negative the E value, the greater the tendency for oxidation
(backward reaction) to occur.

The E values of Group II elements are very negative indicating that they are
easily oxidised

hence good reducing agents.

Reducing power of Group II elements increases down the group

b) Trend:

Reason: Down the group,


Weaker electrostatic attraction exists between nucleus and valence electrons.
Valence electrons are further away from the nucleus and easier to be removed
down the group.
Reducing power (tendency to undergo oxidation) progressively increases.
E

values become more negative (See table 3 above).

Group II Elements

3.3

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Reaction of Metal with Oxygen


All Group II elements burn in oxygen to form metal oxides

General equation:

2M (s)

O2 (g)

2MO (s)

Reactivity of metals with oxygen increases on going down the group, a consequence
of the increase in reducing strength of the metals.

All the oxides are white solids, basic and ionic in nature and have extremely high
melting points (except for BeO). BeO is amphoteric.

Examples:

Note:

2Be(s)

O2(g)

2BeO(s)

2Mg(s)

O2(g)

2MgO(s)

2Ca(s)

O2(g)

2CaO(s)

2Sr(s)

O2(g)

2SrO(s)

2Ba(s)

O2(g)

2BaO(s)

Ba can also form barium peroxide, BaO2.


Ba (s)

O2 (g)

BaO2 (s)

(In peroxide: oxidation state of O is 1)

Group II Elements

3.4

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Important!

Reaction of Metal with Water

Group II elements (except Be and Mg) reduces water to produce hydroxides and H2

General Equation:

M (s)

2H2O (l)

M(OH)2

H2 (g)

Reactivity of Group II metal increases down the group:


Reaction with H2O

Reactivity

Be

Nil

No reaction with either cold water or steam.


Reacts very slowly with cold water, but

Mg (s) + H2O (g) MgO (s) + H2 (g)

Mg

rapidly with steam to form the oxide.

Ca,

Reaction with cold water gets more vigorous

Ca (s) + 2H2O (l) Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2 (g)

Sr,

down the group to give the hydroxides and

Sr (s) + 2H2O (l) Sr(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Ba

hydrogen gas.

Ba (s) + 2H2O (l) Ba(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g)

(steam)

The Group II hydroxides are not very soluble, but they get more soluble down the
group. Calcium hydroxide (also known as slaked lime) is present mainly as a white
precipitate (although some does dissolve to form limewater).

All the hydroxides are basic except for Be(OH)2 which is amphoteric.

Quickcheck 2:

Which of the following statements concerning Group II elements;

strontium, calcium and barium are correct?

Their oxides are amphoteric.

Aqueous solutions of their hydroxides have a pH greater than 7.

The elements react with cold water liberating hydrogen.

2, 3 are correct.

10

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Important!

PROPERTIES OF GROUP II COMPOUNDS

4.

Nature of oxides:

The oxides of Group II elements are all basic except for BeO which is amphoteric.
Ionic oxides are basic while covalent oxides are acidic. The
amphoteric oxides possess both the ionic and covalent character.
BeO is amphoteric because the small Be2+ ion has high charge density and it
polarises the O2 anion and result in some degree of covalent character in the
bonding of BeO.
[Compare this with what you know about Al2O3. Are they similar?]

Yes.

Reaction of Group II Oxides with Water

4.1

All Group II oxides (except BeO) react with water to form hydroxides.

General Equation:

MO (s)

H2O (l)

M(OH)2 (aq)

Reaction of group II oxides with water increases with vigor down the group:
Reactivity

Oxides

Reaction with H2O

Does not react with water


BeO

Nil

High lattice energy of BeO


Reacts less vigorously to form basic
solution

MgO

( pH 9 ) due to more stable lattice structure

MgO (s) + H2O (l)

Mg(OH)2(s)

High lattice energy of MgO


CaO,
SrO,
BaO

React vigorously with water to produce an


alkaline solution ( pH 1013 ).

Quickcheck 3:

CaO (s) + H2O (l) Ca(OH)2(aq)


SrO (s) + H2O (l) Sr(OH)2 (aq)
BaO (s) + H2O (l) Ba(OH)2 (aq)

Group II metal, X, reacts only very slowly with cold water but

vigorously with steam. Group II metal, Y, readily reacts with cold water. Suggest the identity
of X and Y, and give a reason for your choice.

Answer:
X = Mg; Y = Ca, Sr or Ba.
Reactivity increases down the group.

11

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

4.2

Thermal Decomposition of Group II Nitrates and Carbonates

The nitrates and carbonates of Group II elements are thermally unstable; they
decompose on heating to form stable oxides.
Nitrates decompose on heating to give oxides, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen:
General Equation:

2M(NO3)2 (s)

2MO (s)

4NO2 (g)

O2 (g)

brown gas

Carbonates decompose on heating to give oxides and carbon dioxide:


General Equation:

MCO3 (s)

MO (s)

CO2 (g)

Possible mechanism for decomposition of group II carbonates:

O
M

2+

C
O

2+

Thermal decomposition of these compounds occurs as a result of polarisation effect


exerted by the cation (of high charge density) on the large anion:

Polarising Power of M2+

Charge Density

q
r

High cationic
charge (q+), small
cationic radius (r+)
high charge
density

Polarising Power refers to the ability of cation M2+ to distort the electron cloud of
the anion

In general, the higher the charge density of M2+, the greater the polarising power of
the cation.

Note :

Group II salts are less stable than Group I salts because of the
greater polarising power of the M2+ cation, which distorts the anion
more.

12

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Polarisation of the nitrate ion For your understanding

NO bond in the NO3 anion is polarised and weakened by the cation such that the
NO bond break and MO, NO2 and O2 are formed.

O-

M2+

N O

2MO

4NO2

O2

O
Cleavage of the NO bond lead to decomposition

4.3

Trend in Thermal Stability of Nitrates and Carbonates

Compound
Mg
Ca
Sr
Ba

Very Important!

DECOMPOSITION TEMPERATURE/ 0C
Nitrates
Carbonates
129
540
560
900
570
1290
592
1350

Group II nitrates and carbonates have to be heated more and more strongly down
the group before they will decompose.

Thermal stability of nitrates and carbonates increases down the group.

Recall:

Reason: Down the group,

Charge Density

Ionic radius of cation increases


Charge density of cation decreases since charge remains constant
Polarising power of cation decreases
Polarising effect on anion NO3 or CO32 decreases

Thermal stability of compounds increases hence decomposition temperature


progressively increases

Note:

Thermal Stability increase

Thermal decomposition temperature increase


Ease of thermal decomposition decrease
13

q
r

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Quickcheck 4:

M is a Group II metal which can undergo reaction via two routes:

Route 1

Route 2

Which set below contains 3 different compounds?


A. P Q U
B. P R T

5.

(A)

C. Q S U
D. Q S T

DIAGONAL RELATIONSHIP
GROUP I

GROUP II

GROUP III

Li

Be

Na

Mg

Al

Ca

Ga

Mg resembles Li in some of their reactions.


Reason:
o

Both Mg2+ and Li+ have similar charge density and polarising power.

Be resembles Al in some of their reactions.


Reason:
o

Both Be2+ and Al3+ have similar charge density and polarising power.

Beryllium shows quite different chemical behaviour when compared to the rest of
Group II metals. In fact, it is closer to aluminum in its chemical properties.
o
o
o
o
o

Both Be and Al dissolve in alkali to liberate hydrogen gas.


Both BeCl2 and AlCl3 are covalent compounds.
BeCO3 is unstable at room temperature and Al2(CO3)3 does not exist.
Both Be(OH)2 and Al(OH)3 are amphoteric.
Both BeO and Al2O3 are amphoteric.

14

Group II Elements

6.

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

SOME USES OF GROUP II COMPOUNDS (NOT IN SYLLABUS)


Magnesium oxide (MgO) is used as a refractory lining in high temperature
furnaces because of its high melting point and low reactivity.
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3), also known as limestone, is used in building
materials.
Calcium oxide (CaO), also known as quicklime, is used in agriculture to
overcome the problem of acidity in soil:
o
o
o

ability of crops to take in nutrients depends on pH of soil


optimum pH for most crops lies in the range of 67
liming (i.e. process of adding basic calcium oxide to acidic soil) is employed to
remove acidity of soil for maximising crop yields.

Barium sulfate (BaSO4) is used in barium meal test in Xray diagnostic work.

15

Dunman High School


Year 5 H2 Chemistry 2013

Tutorial: Group II Elements


* Tutorial Discussion Questions

Properties of Group II Metals

1.

The element strontium is placed below calcium and above barium in Group II.

(a)

Rubidium (Rb) is next to strontium in the same period. Account for the difference in the
ionic radius Rb+ and Sr2+.
Ion
Rb+
Sr2+

Ionic radius
0.148 nm
0.113 nm

(b)

How should the ionisation energy of strontium compare with that of:
(i)
rubidium
(ii)
calcium
Explain your answer.

2.

Explain each of the following observations in terms of structure and bonding.

(a)

The alkaline earth metals (beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium) all
have a fixed oxidation number in their compounds.

(b)

The group II elements are strong reducing agents (E values are negative and the
magnitude increases on going down the group). Give an explanation for this property
and the trend in this property on going down the group.

3(a)

Describe the reactions of Group II metals, magnesium to barium with


(i)
Oxygen
(ii)
Water
Write equations where appropriate.

(b)

(i)

Suggest reasons why magnesium gives the nitride, Mg3N2, in addition to its
oxide when burned in air.

(ii)

A 1.00 g sample of the powder obtained from burning magnesium in air was
boiled with water. The ammonia that was evolved neutralised 12.0 cm3 of 0.5
moldm3 hydrochloric acid.
Construct balanced equations for the production of magnesium nitride and its
reaction
with water. Calculate the percentage of magnesium nitride in the
1.00 g sample.
[Ans: 30.3%]

II

Properties of Group II Compounds

*4
(a)
(b)
(c)

Predict the following properties of strontium:


Formula of its oxide and effect, if any on water.
Thermal stability of strontium nitrate relative to barium nitrate.
The effect of cold water on strontium metal.

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Explain each of the following observations in terms of structure and bonding.

(a)

Beryllium chloride (boiling point 547C) is much more volatile than magnesium chloride
(boiling point 1418C).

(b)

Beryllium oxide is amphoteric, but the oxides of all the other alkaline earth metals are
basic.

*6

Heating barium oxide with oxygen under pressure causes barium peroxide to be formed
in the following equilibrium reaction:
2BaO + O2

2BaO2

When 1.00 g of the mixture of oxides (BaO and Ba2O) was treated with dilute sulfuric
acid, 1.49 g of a white solid was precipitated and a solution of hydrogen peroxide was
produced. On the addition of an excess of acidified potassium iodide to the solution,
0.00118 mol of iodine, I2, was produced.
Suggest an identity for the white solid and write an equation for the reaction of each of
the oxides with dilute sulfuric acid. Use the above data to calculate the mass of each
oxide present in the mixture.
[Ans: BaO2 = 0.199 g ,BaO = 0.801 g]
7(a)

State and explain the relative thermal stability of calcium nitrate and strontium nitrate.

(b)

(i)

When a 1.01 g sample of potassium nitrate is heated above its melting point, a
colourless gas is evolved and the mass of the sample decreases by 0.16 g.
Suggests an identity for the gas and for the resulting solid, and hence construct
an equation for the decomposition.

*(c)

(ii)

Unlike all other Group I nitrates, lithium nitrate decomposes on heating in the
same
way as Group II nitrates. Suggest a reason for this difference in
behaviour and give an equation for its decomposition.

(i)

When water is added to the solid remaining after barium nitrate has been
heated, an alkaline solution is produced. The addition of sulfuric acid to this
solution produces a white precipitate. Identify the products of these two
reactions, and write equations for them.

(ii)

When the procedure described in (a) is repeated using the solid remaining after
magnesium nitrate has been heated, several differences are observed. Describe
clearly what these differences are, and explain why they occur.

The following table lists the melting points of the oxides of the Group II elements.
oxide
MgO
CaO
SrO
BaO

melting point/ C
2852
2614
2430
1918

(a)

Suggest an explanation of this trend.

(b)

Suggest a use for one of these oxides, based on its melting point.

17

Group II Elements

(c)

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

The mineral dolomite is a double carbonate of magnesium and calcium, with the
formulae CaMg(CO3)2. When 1.000 g of an impure sample of dolomite was completely
dissolved in an excess of hydrochloric acid, 0.450 g of carbon dioxide was given off.
Write a balanced equation for the reaction and calculate the purity of the dolomite.
[Ans: 94.3%]

*9 (a) Explain the following observation as fully as you can. Include any relevant equations.
Magnesium nitrate produces a brown gas on gentle heating whereas barium nitrate
gives a brown gas only on prolonged heating.
(b)

Why is barium peroxide more thermally unstable than barium monoxide?

Past Year Prelim Question


[NJC/Prelim 06/P3/5 either]
*10

This question concerns Group II elements and their compounds

(a)

Group II elements are known to be reducing agents. Give an example of a chemical


reaction that illustrates the trend in the reducing ability of the Group II elements.

(b)

Magnesium reacts with ammonia to form a yellow binary salt, X, and hydrogen. In
another experiment, 0.198g of compound X upon complete reaction with water gives a
white solid Y. Upon filtering to remove the white solid Y, the resultant solution which
contains ammonia requires 20.0 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm3 sulfuric acid for reaction.
Construct balanced equations for the two reactions.

(c)

Beryllium carbonate must be kept in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide, whereas no


carbon dioxide is detected if barium carbonate is heated using a Bunsen burner. Explain
these observations fully.

(d)

The solubility products of some Group II compounds are shown in the following table:
Ba(OH)2
Ca(OH)2
Mg(OH)2

Solubility products of Group II compounds

BaCO3
2.60 x 109
7.88 x 106
CaCO3
4.95 x 109
12
5.66 x 10
MgCO3
1.15 x 105

(i)

With reference to data given above, suggest a reason why when small quantities
of carbon dioxide are to be detected, barium hydroxide solution is occasionally
used instead of limewater.

(ii)

State one disadvantage of using barium hydroxide.


[3]
[Total: 10]

18

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

Multiple Choice Questions:


1. Lithium resembles magnesium in its chemical properties. Which property of lithium
compounds is unlikely to be correct?
[N98/P3/Q14]
A.
B.
C.
D.

Lithium carbonate decomposes to give carbon dioxide on being heated.


Lithium nitrate gives oxygen as the only gas on being heated.
Lithium oxide in water produces a solution with pH greater than 7.
Lithium sulfate is soluble in water.

2. On strong heating, CaSO4 decomposes into CaO and SO3. The compound CaCO3
decomposes at a lower temperature than CaSO4. Which factor best explains the greater
thermal stability of CaSO4?
[J99/P3/Q14]
A.
B.
C.
D.

CaCO3 has higher lattice energy than CaSO4.


CO2 is a smaller molecule than SO3.
CO32 ions are more easily polarised than SO42.
The charge density of CO32 is greater than that of SO42.

3. The carbonates of Group II decompose according to the following equation.


MCO3 (s)

MO (s)

CO2 (g)

For this reaction, H increases on descending the group.


Carbonates
H / kJ mol1

Mg
+101

Ca
+178

Sr
+235

[N00/P3/Q14]
Ba
+269

Which property best explains this trend?


A.
B.
C.
D.

Ionic radius of the metal ion


Ionisation energy of the metal
Proton number of the metal
Thermal stability of the oxide

4. A student made up a 0.10 mol dm3 solution of Ba(OH)2.8H2O which she found in the
laboratory cupboard and left the solution in an open beaker. A week later, she returned to
the laboratory, used the solution for titration with 0.10 mol dm3 HCl and was surprised to
discover her titres were lower than expected.
What explains why the values were low?
[N08/P1/Q15]
A. Some of the barium hydroxide had reacted with carbon dioxide in the air to form solid
barium carbonate.
B. Some of the water had evaporated from the barium hydroxide solution.
C. The concentration of HCl was less than the stated 0.10 mol dm3.
D. The crystals had less water of crystallisation than stated.

19

Group II Elements

2013 DHS Year 5 H2 Chemistry

For Qns 59, choose from any of the following combination of statements.
A
1, 2 & 3 are
correct

B
1 and 2 only are
correct

C
2 and 3 only are
correct

D
1 only is correct

E
3 only is correct

5. Which of the following statements concerning the Group II elements, magnesium, calcium
and barium are correct?
[N89/P3/Q35]
1. Their reactivity increases with increasing relative atomic mass.
2. The only oxidation number exhibited in their stable compounds is +2.
3. On strong heating their nitrates give off oxygen only.
6. Anhydrous barium nitrate and anhydrous magnesium nitrate both decompose on heating,
evolving nitrogen dioxide and oxygen and forming an oxide. Which of the following
statements concerning these decompositions are correct?
[J93/P4/Q36]
1. Nitrogen dioxide is evolved at a lower temperature from magnesium nitrate than from
barium nitrate.
2. For both nitrates the volume of nitrogen dioxide evolved is four times greater than the
volume of oxygen.
3. The numerical value of the lattice energy of magnesium nitrate is greater than that of
barium nitrate.
7. Soluble barium compounds are highly toxic. In hospitals, barium sulfate in suspension is
safe for use in taking Xray photographs of the alimentary canal. It is mixed with food and
eaten by the patient prior to the photographs being taken.
Why is sulfate used rather than other compounds of barium?
[N93/P4/Q35 modified]
1. Barium sulfate is not poisonous because it is insoluble in water.
2. Barium sulfate reacts with organic materials in the body.
3. Barium sulfate forms sulfuric acid with the acid in the stomach.
8. Which of the following statements about beryllium are true?

[J85/P3/Q36]

1. Beryllium compounds tend to be covalent rather than ionic.


2. Beryllium shows a fixed oxidation number of +2 in its compounds.
3. Beryllium reacts rapidly with cold water.
9. Consider the energy changes in dissolving an ionic compound. Which of the following
factors helps to explain why magnesium sulfate is soluble in water but not barium sulfate?
[N95/P4/Q35 modified]
1. Barium sulfate has numerically larger lattice energy than magnesium sulfate.
2. The enthalpy change of hydration of magnesium ions is more exothermic than that of
barium ions.
3. The charge density of magnesium ions is greater than that of barium ions.

20

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