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Chapter Scopes

CHAPTER 2

s-BLOCK ELEMENTS
(GROUP I AND II)

Physical properties and chemical properties of

period 3 elements
Group I metals (Na Cs) and their compounds
Group II metals (Mg Ba) and their compounds
Trends & similarities of physical properties of
Group I and Group II metals
Chemical reactions of Group I and Group II
metals with O2, Cl2 and H2O, acidic/basic
behavior of these oxides
Uses of Group I and Group II elements

OBJECTIVE
Period 3 (Na
Ar) :
 Physical & chemical properties
Group I (Na
Cs) :
 physical & chemical properties
 usages
Group II (Mg C


Ba) :
 physical & chemical properties
 usages

Period 3 elements
Period 3 of the Periodic table consists of 8
elements from sodium to argon
Separate in s-block and p-block elements.
s-block : Na & Mg
p-block : Al, Si, P, S, Cl & Ar

Physical properties of period 3

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Atomic radius/ atomic radii

Ionic radius/ ionic radii
Melting point and boiling point
First ionisation energy

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1. Atomic Radii
The atomic radius is defined as half the
distance between the nuclei of the 2 closest
and identical atoms (or half the internuclear
distance).

It is a measure of the size of the atom.

Size of atom decreases when going

across a period
No. of proton , the nucleus charge
but the shielding effect remains constant.

Atomic radius are determined by:

1. Nuclear charge
- attraction between the nucleus and the
outer shell e- The greater the nuclear charge, the
smaller is the size.
2. Screening/shielding effect
- mutual repulsion between the inner
shells e- and the outer shell e- The greater the screening effect, the bigger the
size.
3. Number of orbital / electronic shells

2. Ionic Radius
Refer to the radius of a cation or an anion.

Effective Nuclear Charge, Z* increase.

Each added electron feels a greater &
greater +ve charge.
e cloud is pulled closer to the nucleus.

Cation is always smaller than its neutral atom.

Anion is always larger than its neutral atom.
For a given nuclear charge, the the no. of e-,
the the repulsion between e-, the the ionic size

Atomic radius decreases.

Neutral atoms or ions that have same no.

of e- and electronic configuration are said
to be isoeletronic.
For a given no. of e- , the the nuclear
charge, the the force of attraction and
the the ionic radius
For isoelectronic cation, the more positive
the cation, the the ionic size.
For isoelectronic anion, the more negative
the anion, the the ionic size.

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Example
Arrange the following species in increasing
ionic size.
Na+, Ne, O2-, F-, Mg2+
Proton no: O - 8;
F - 9;
Ne - 10;
Na - 11;
Mg - 12

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Melting Point

3. Melting Point (MP)

(when across a period)

MP is defined as the T at which a pure solid is in

equilibrium with its pure liquid at atm P.
Involves breaking up the lattice structure of a solid.
Indicates the strength of forces holding the
particles together.
Depends on
i) Bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic or
Van Der Waals)
ii) Structure (simple molecular, giant covalent
or metallic structure)

Structure & Bonding Type of

Elements in Period 3:
Element Na Mg Al
Crystal
structure
Bonding

Metallic
Metallic

Si

P S Cl Ar

Giant
molecular
Covalent

Simple
molecular
Van der
Waals

Explanation: the trend of MP and BP

across a Period 3
Na, Mg and Al
Metals with metallic bonding.
Thus, relatively high mp.
Going from Na to Al,
 No. of delocalize e- increases
 Metallic bond stronger
 More heat energy needed
 Mp increase in order of :
Na < Mg < Al

Silicon
Has a giant covalent structure
with strong covalent bond
More energy needed to break
the bond
Relatively high mp

The MP of Al is only slightly higher than

that of Mg as the metallic bond in Al is only
slightly stronger.
This is because
Al3+ ion has a high charge density
Tends to attract e- towards itself
Reduces no. of valence e- contributed to
the delocalised electron cloud

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Silicon
Phosphorus, Sulphur, Chlorine, Argon
Van der Waals attraction.
Mp will be lower than those 1st four elements
(Na, Mg, Al and Si).

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4. Ionization Energy (IE)

1st IE = min energy, E (kJ/mol) required to
remove 1 mol e- from 1 mole of
gaseous atom to form 1 mol of
gaseous ions under standard condition

Phosphorus exists as P4 molecules

Sulphur exists as S8 molecules
Chlorine exists as Cl2 molecules
Argon exists as individual Ar atoms
The strength of the Van der Waals forces
decreases as the size of the molecule decreases
So the mp decrease in the order
S8 > P4 > Cl2 > Ar

1st IE: X(g) X+(g) + e2nd IE: X+(g) X2+(g) + e3rd IE: X2+(g) X3+(g) + eGenerally,
e- easier to be removed = IE
e- difficult to be removed = IE

General Trend in First Ionization Energies

Increasing 1st IE

High Energy

IE increase when across a period

Increasing 1st IE

When across period, nucleus charge increases

Atomic radius decreases
Outer e- closer to the nucleus and more
strongly attracted
e- more difficult to be removed
Low
Energy

Thus, IE increases when across period

Anomalous Cases:
IE when across a period

2 exceptions:

Boron and Oxygen has relatively lower IE
compared to general trend.

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1st exception:
Why B has lower IE than Be?

B = 1 e- being lost from the 2p subshell which is

further from the nucleus than 2s subshell.
Be = energy is needed to remove 1 e- from a
fully occupied s orbital as it has special stability.
Thus, easier to remove 1 e- from B than Be, IE
decreases.

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2nd exception:
Why O has lower IE than N?

Properties of Period 3 Oxides

Na2O

O =The rather low IE is due to increased

repulsion between the 2e- occupying the same
2p orbital.
N = energy is needed to remove 1 e- from half
filled p orbitals (p3) as it has special stability
compared to remove from a p4 configuration.
So 1e- is more easily lost for N than O.

Reaction of Period 3 Oxides with H2O

Element
Na2O

Equation
Na2O(s) + H2O(l)
2NaOH(aq) (soluble)

MgO

MgO(s) + H2O(l)
Mg(OH)2(aq)

(Slightly soluble)

Al2O3

- insoluble in H2O
- amphoteric as it can react as a base &
as an acid
As a base:
Al2O3(s) + 6HCl(aq) 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l)
As an acid:
Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 3H2O(l)
2NaAl(OH)4(aq)

s-Block Elements
Groups 1 and 2 s-block metals
Group 1 elements: 1e- in their outer shell
Group 2 elements: 2e- in their outer shell
These outer electrons are located in sorbital (s sub-shell), ns1 & ns2
Chemistry of these metals is dominated by
the loss of s electrons to form a cation.

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MgO

Al2O3

SiO2

P4O6/
P4O10

SO2/
SO3

Cl2O/
Cl2O7

Structure

Ionic
** Al2O3 is ionic with covalent
character

Giant
covalent

Simple molecular

Melting
point

High
(Strong ionic bonds must be
broken for melting to occur)

High
(Strong
covalent
bonds
must be
broken)

Low
(only weak dipole-dipole
forces need to be broken)

Acid/base
nature
Effect of
water on
oxide

basic
alkaline
solution
(pH
13)

amphoteric

dissolves
slightly
(pH 9)

Element
SiO2
P4O6
P4O10
SO2
SO3
Cl2O
Cl2O7

Insoluble in water
(high lattice energies
making dissolution
difficult)

acidic
Strongly acidic solution
(pH 2)

Equation
- insoluble in H2O
P4O6(s) + 6H2O(l)
4H3PO3(aq)
dissolved
Phosphonic acid
P4O10(s) + 6H2O(l)
4H3PO4(aq)
dissolved
Phosphoric acid
SO2(g) + H2O(l)
H2SO3(aq)
dissolved
Sulphurous acid
SO3(g) + H2O(l)
H2SO4(aq)
dissolved
Sulphuric acid
Cl2O(g) + H2O(l)
2HOCl(aq)
Hypochlorous acid
Cl2O7(l) + H2O(l)
2HClO4(aq)
Perchloric acid

Electronic Configuration of
Group I (ns1, n 2)
Element
lithium
sodium
potassium
rubidium
cesium
francium

Symbol Abbreviated Electron

Configuration
Li
Na
K
Rb
Cs
Fr

[He]2s1
[Ne]3s1
[Ar]4s1
[Kr]5s1
[Xe]6s1
[Rn]7s1

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Electronic Configuration of
Group II (ns2, n 2)
Element

Symbol

Abbreviated Electron
Configuration

beryllium
magnesium
calcium
strontium
barium
radium

Be
Mg
Ca
Sr
Ba
Ra

[He]2s2
[Ne]3s2
[Ar]4s2
[Kr]5s2
[Xe]6s2
[Rn]7s2

Characteristic of Group II
(Alkaline-Earth Metals)
 2e- in the outer shell
 Usually form M2+ ions in compounds
(most compounds are ionic)
 Very reactive & are powerful reducing
agents
 Have the oxidation state of +2
 The oxides are all basic (except
beryllium oxide, which is amphoteric)

Physical Trends when go down

Group I and II
 Atomic radius increases
 Ionic radius increases
 First ionization energy decreases
 As a reducing agent increases

Characteristic of Group I
(Alkali Metals)






Silvery-coloured metal.
Soft, easy to cut by knife.
Highly reactive metals.
React with water to form alkaline solution.
Have 1e- in outer shell that is easily given
off.
 Form oxidation state of +1 cation

Compared To Group I Elements:

Group II elements are
 The metallic bonds of Group II elements
are stronger as having 2 valence e- for
metallic bonding.
 Harder, with higher melting point &
electrical conductivity
 less reactive as 2e- must be removed to
form M2+ ions

1. Size of atom increases when go

down Group I and II
Nuclear charge & screening effect increase
due to the increase in the number of protons
& electrons

Screening effect is greater than nuclear

charge due to the increase in number of shells

Attraction between the nucleus & the

electron cloud decreases. Atomic radius

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2. Size of cation increases when go

down Group I and II
Going down the group, atomic radius is
Increase due to the increase of number
of orbital, nuclear charge effect and
screening effect
Hence, Ionic radii is increase also due
to the increase in number of shells

3. IE decrease when go down a group

Atomic radius increases down the group
Outer e- further from the nucleus
Outer e- become less strongly attracted
by the nucleus
Outer e- easier to be removed
IE decreases when go down a group

4. Reducing Strength
When going down Group I & II, atomic
radius increases as extra shell is added
The valence e- are located further
away from the nucleus.
The valence e- are easily to be discarded
Metals become increasingly electropositive &
easily to form positively charged ions by losing e-

Chemical Properties of Group I

and II Elements
1. Reactivity trend when go down group I and
II.
2. Reaction with oxygen (O2) to form oxide
compound.
3. Reaction with water (H2O) to form
hydroxide compound.
4. Reaction with halogen (X2) to form halide
salt.

Reducing strengths increase

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1. Reactivity of Group I
Elements

Reactivity of Group II
Elements

Reactivity of Group I :
Tendency of Group I elements to lose 1eforming a singly positive charge ions

Reactivity of Group II :
Tendency of Group II elements to lose
2e- forming a doubly positive charge ions

Example: Na
Na+ + 1 e-

Example: Mg
Mg2+ + 2 e-

Trend of Reactivity when go down

Group I and II
Atomic radius increases as
extra shell is added
Outer e- become further from the
positive nuclear charge
Attraction becomes weaker
Thus, outer e- easier to be removed
& reactivity increases

Reaction of Oxide Compound

(Group I)
Reaction with water:
M2O(s) + H2O(l)
2MOH(aq)
Reaction with acid:
(a) M2O(s) + 2HCl(aq)
2MCl(aq) + H2O(l)
(b) M2O(s) + 2HNO3(aq)
2MNO3(aq) + H2O(l)
(c) M2O(s) + H2SO4(aq)
M2SO4(aq) + H2O(l)

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2. Reaction with O2 to form Oxide

Compounds (Group I)
Burn in oxygen (air) when heated
Form white oxide powders
Redox reaction
Group I
4M(s) + O2(g)
2M2O(s)
 Group II
2M(s) + O2(g)
2MO(s)

Reaction of Oxide Compound

(Group II)
Reaction with water:
MO(s) + H2O(l)
M(OH)2 (aq or s)

Reaction with acid:

(a) MO(s) + 2HCl(aq)
MCl2(aq) + H2O(l)
(b) MO(s) + 2HNO3(aq)
M(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l)
(c) MO(s) + H2SO4(aq)
MSO4(aq) + H2O(l)

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3. Reaction of Group I Elements

with H2O to form Hydroxide
Compounds
The reaction with water is very
exothermic, fast and violent.
Formation of alkaline solution (hydroxide
compounds) together with hydrogen gas
2M(s) + 2H2O(l)
2MOH(aq) + H2(g)

Reaction of Group II Elements

with H2O to form Hydroxide
Compounds
Alkaline earth metals react with water to
form metal hydroxide with the liberation of
hydrogen gas
Beryllium has no reaction with water or
steam
M(s) + 2H2O(l)
M(OH)2 (s or aq) + H2(g)
(M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba)

4. Reaction of Group I with

Chlorine, Cl2
Heating the metal in chlorine will cause it
to burn forming the chloride .
Group I
2M(s) + Cl2(g)
2MCl(s)
Group II

M(s) + Cl2(g)
MCl2(s)

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Reaction of Hydroxide
Compound (Group I)
Reaction with acid:
(a) MOH(aq) + HCl(aq)
MCl(aq) + H2O(l)
(b) MOH(aq) + HNO3(aq)
MNO3(aq) + H2O(l)
(c) 2MOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq)
M2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
Reaction with halogen:
At room temperature,
2MOH(aq) + X2(g)
MX + MOX + H2O(l)
( X2 = Cl2 , Br2 , I2 )

However, Mg burns in steam to produce

oxide and hydrogen
Mg(s) + H2O(g)
MgO(s) + H2(g)
steam
Reaction with acid:
(a) M(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq)
MCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)
(b) M(OH)2(aq) + 2HNO3(aq)

M(NO3)2(s) + 2H2O(l)
(c) M(OH)2(aq) + H2SO4(aq)
MSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)

Uses of Group I Metals

 Na vapour use in yellow-orange street
lamps
 Na liquid as a coolant in specialized
high-temperature applications
 NaCl 'common salt' is used as a food
flavouring and preservative.
 Na2CO3 manufacture of glass and the
treatment of hard water.

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Uses of Group I Metals

 NaOH is used in the manufacture of
soaps, detergents, bleaches, rayon.
 KNO3 is used in fertilizers.
 Cs is used in photosensors in automatic
doors, toilets, burglar alarms, and other
electronic devices

Uses of Elements of Group II

Compound Use
Be
Applications
involving
radioactivity

Mg

Reason of use

Its low atomic no

The lowest
tendency to
absorb X-rays of
metallic elements
Lightweight metal Its low density
alloys in aircraft,

aircraft frames &

automobile
engine parts

Compound
MgO

Use
Refractory (heat
resistant) lining of
furnaces.
CaO
Spread onto
Quicklime agricultural land to
& Ca(OH)2 neutralize excess
acidity
CaCO3
Major component
Limestone of cement
CaSO4
Plaster casts for
broken limbs

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Reason of use
It has a very
high mp.
CaO and
Ca(OH)2 are
alkaline.
It absorbs
water and sets
to a hard solid

Learning Outcomes
Understand and explain the
similarities, variations and trends
in some physical and chemical
properties of the elements in
Groups I and II (s-block elements)
& Period 3

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