GROUP 2

Alkaline earth metals

Mg , Ca and Ba
General characteristics
1.Outermost electronic configuration :
ns2
2.Most compound are ionic , readily
loses 2 outer electrons , powerful
reducing agents
M - 2e M2+
Size of M2+ smaller than M atom as
outermost shell has been removed
 3.All are reactive metals
Trend : reactivity increases down the group.
Reason :
chemical reactions involve electrons
as size increases ( more shells of electrons ),
valence electrons more loosely bound /
electrons are further from nucleus
electrons more readily lost / lower IE ( more
reactive )
 4.Exist in +2 oxidation states in all
compounds

5.Few complex ions , forms white ppt

insoluble in excess NaOH
Reactions with water and
oxygen
1. Reaction with water :
a. Mg : reacts slowly with cold water ,
reacts rapidly with steam to form the oxide
and H2(g)
Mg(s) + H2O(g) MgO(s) + H2(g)
steam
Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) Mg(OH)2(s) + H2(g)
cold
 Observations ( at least 2 ) :
i)With cold water : bubbles/evolution of
gas, slow reaction, colourless gas
ii)With steam : magnesium glows,
vigorous reaction, white solid formed
 Ca : reacts rapidly with cold water
Ba : reacts even more rapidly with cold water
M(s) + 2H2O(l) M(OH)2 (s or aq) + H2 (g)
( M = Ca or Ba )
Observation : evolution of gas / colourless
gas/ white suspension forms [Ca(OH)2 only]
b. Trend :Increase in reactivity down the
group
 2. Reaction with oxygen :
a. All elements reacts rapidly when
heated to form oxides
Observation : burns brightly / burns with
intense white flame & forms white solid
Equation : 2M (s) + O2(g) 2MO(s)
Eg 2Mg (s) + O2(g) 2MgO (s)
white solid
 b. All the oxides formed are basic
i) partially soluble in water alkaline
solutions ( pH > 7 )
MO + H2O M(OH)2 M2+ + 2OH-
Note : Solubility of M(OH)2 increases
down the group
therefore solutions formed are more
alkaline
 ii) reacts with acids(neutralisation)
salt and water formed
MO(s)+2H+(aq) M2+(aq)+ H2O(l)
salt
Eg :
MgO + 2HNO3 Mg(NO3)2 + H2O
Decomposition of compounds
Compounds decomposes on heating
1. Carbonates :
MCO3(s) MO(s) + CO2(g)
metal oxide
Note : Thermal stability of carbonates
increases down the group
 2. Nitrates :
2M(NO3)2(s) 2MO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
brown gas
3. Hydroxides :
M(OH)2(s) MO(s) + H2O(g)
Solubility of sulfates and hydroxides

The solubility of the sulfates decreases as the proton

number increases, that is they are in the order MgSO4 >
CaSO4 > SrSO4 > BaSO4 .
The solubility of the hydroxides changes in the opposite
direction, that is Mg(OH)2 < Ca(OH)2 < Sr(OH)2 < Ba(OH)2 .
Uses of Group 2 compounds
1. Ca(OH)2 : slaked lime
Saturated Ca(OH)2 solution :limewater
a. treatment of fields which are too
acidic for plant growth
Reasons : compound is alkaline and
partially soluble
 Note : if lime is spread over land
treated with nitrogenous fertilisers ,
possible reactions are :
(1) Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O
(2) Ca(OH)2 + 2H+ Ca2+ + 2H2O
(3) Ca(OH)2 + 2NH4+ Ca2+ +
acidic
2NH3 + 2H2O
 b.improve soil quality

c.soften hard water

d.make bleaching powder

 2. MgO :used for making steel furnace
linings ,refractory materials and
crucibles
Reasons:
High melting point (28000 C)
Low thermal conductivity
Does not react with basic slags
 3. CaCO3 : for making cement and
building materials
4. CaSO4 : plaster of Paris
5. MgSO4 : purgative , manufacture
explosives ,fertilisers and matches
6. Mg(OH)2 : Milk of magnesia for
treatment of food poisoning or acid
indigestion
 7. BaSO4 : barium meal test to
examine digestive system
- although barium compounds
(aqueous Ba2+) are poisonous , BaSO4
is so insoluble that it is not absorbed by
the body
 Note : BaCO3 even though also
insoluble but is not suitable. Why ?
BaCO3 reacts with the acid in the
stomach to form aqueous Ba2+ which
are poisonous