GROUP II Alkaline earths CONTENTS ©HOPTON General properties Trends in electronic configuration Trends in atomic and ionic radius Trends in melting point Trends in ionisation energy Reaction with oxygen and water Oxides and hydroxides Carbonates Sulphates ©HOPTON

GROUP PROPERTIES • all have the electronic configuration ... ns2 GENERAL • metals • all have the electronic configuration ... ns2 TRENDS • melting point • electronic configuration • electronegativity • atomic size • ionic size ©HOPTON

THE s-BLOCK ELEMENTS Elements in Group I (alkali metals) and Group II (alkaline earths) are known as s-block elements because their valence (bonding) electrons are in s orbitals. ©HOPTON

THE s-BLOCK ELEMENTS Li Na K Rb Cs Fr Elements in Group I (alkali metals) and Group II (alkaline earths) are known as s-block elements because their valence (bonding) electrons are in s orbitals. ALKALI METALS Gp I Li 1s2 2s1 Na 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 K 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s1 Rb … 5s1 Cs … 6s1 Fr ©HOPTON

THE s-BLOCK ELEMENTS Li Be Na Mg K Ca Rb Sr Cs Ba Fr Rn Elements in Group I (alkali metals) and Group II (alkaline earths) are known as s-block elements because their valence (bonding) electrons are in s orbitals. ALKALI METALS ALKALINE EARTHS Gp I Gp II Li Be 1s2 2s1 1s2 2s2 Na Mg 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 K Ca 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s1 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2 Rb Sr … 5s1 … 5s2 Cs Ba … 6s1 … 6s2 Fr Rn ©HOPTON

Francium and radium are both short-lived radioactive elements THE s-BLOCK ELEMENTS Elements in Group I (alkali metals) and Group II (alkaline earths) are known as s-block elements because their valence (bonding) electrons are in s orbitals. ALKALI METALS ALKALINE EARTHS Gp I Gp II Li Be 1s2 2s1 1s2 2s2 Na Mg 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 K Ca 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s1 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2 Rb Sr … 5s1 … 5s2 Cs Ba … 6s1 … 6s2 Fr Rn Francium and radium are both short-lived radioactive elements ©HOPTON

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION GROUP TRENDS ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Atomic Number 4 12 20 38 56 Old e/c 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2 New e/c 1s2 2s2 …3s2 … 4s2 … 5s2 … 6s2 ©HOPTON

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION GROUP TRENDS ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Atomic Number 4 12 20 38 56 Old e/c 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2 New e/c 1s2 2s2 …3s2 … 4s2 … 5s2 … 6s2 As the nuclear charge increases, the electrons go into shells further from the nucleus. ©HOPTON

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION GROUP TRENDS ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Atomic Number 4 12 20 38 56 Old e/c 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2 New e/c 1s2 2s2 …3s2 … 4s2 … 5s2 … 6s2 As the nuclear charge increases, the electrons go into shells further from the nucleus. The extra distance of the outer shell from the nucleus affects… Atomic radius Ionic radius Ionisation energy Melting point Chemical reactivity ©HOPTON

GROUP TRENDS ATOMIC & IONIC RADIUS ©HOPTON Be Mg Ca Sr 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 Atomic radius / nm Ba 0.198 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8,2 ©HOPTON

GROUP TRENDS ATOMIC & IONIC RADIUS ATOMIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group Be Mg Ca Sr 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 Atomic radius / nm Ba 0.198 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8,2 ATOMIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group • the greater the atomic number the more electrons there are; these go into shells increasingly further from the nucleus 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2 ©HOPTON

GROUP TRENDS ATOMIC & IONIC RADIUS ATOMIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group Be Mg Ca Sr 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 Atomic radius / nm Ba 0.198 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8,2 ATOMIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group • the greater the atomic number the more electrons there are; these go into shells increasingly further from the nucleus 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2 • atoms of Group II are smaller than the equivalent Group I atom the extra proton exerts a greater attraction on the electrons 11 protons 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 12 protons 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 ©HOPTON

GROUP TRENDS ATOMIC & IONIC RADIUS ©HOPTON Be Mg Ca Sr 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 Atomic radius / nm Ba 0.198 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8,2 Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ 0.030 0.064 0.094 0.110 Ionic radius / nm Ba2+ 0.134 2 2,8 2,8,8 2,8,18,8 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8 ©HOPTON

GROUP TRENDS ATOMIC & IONIC RADIUS IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group Be Mg Ca Sr 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 Atomic radius / nm Ba 0.198 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8,2 Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ 0.030 0.064 0.094 0.110 Ionic radius / nm Ba2+ 0.134 2 2,8 2,8,8 2,8,18,8 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8 IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group • ions are smaller than atoms – on removing the outer shell electrons, the remaining electrons are now in fewer shells ©HOPTON

GROUP TRENDS ATOMIC & IONIC RADIUS IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group Be Mg Ca Sr 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 Atomic radius / nm Ba 0.198 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8,2 Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ 0.030 0.064 0.094 0.110 Ionic radius / nm Ba2+ 0.134 2 2,8 2,8,8 2,8,18,8 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8 IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group • ions are smaller than atoms – on removing the outer shell electrons, the remaining electrons are now in fewer shells 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 ©HOPTON

GROUP TRENDS ATOMIC & IONIC RADIUS IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group Be Mg Ca Sr 0.106 0.140 0.174 0.191 Atomic radius / nm Ba 0.198 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8,2 Be2+ Mg2+ Ca2+ Sr2+ 0.030 0.064 0.094 0.110 Ionic radius / nm Ba2+ 0.134 2 2,8 2,8,8 2,8,18,8 Electronic config. 2,8,18,18,8 IONIC RADIUS INCREASES down Group • ions are smaller than atoms – on removing the outer shell electrons, the remaining electrons are now in fewer shells ©HOPTON 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p64s2 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s23p6

GROUP TRENDS MELTING POINT ©HOPTON Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710 Electronic config. 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2 ©HOPTON

GROUP TRENDS MELTING POINT DECREASES down Group ©HOPTON Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710 Electronic config. 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2 DECREASES down Group ©HOPTON

Larger ions mean that the electron cloud doesn’t bind them as strongly GROUP TRENDS MELTING POINT Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710 Electronic config. 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2 DECREASES down Group • each atom contributes two electrons to the delocalised cloud • metallic bonding gets weaker due to increased size of ion Larger ions mean that the electron cloud doesn’t bind them as strongly ©HOPTON

Larger ions mean that the electron cloud doesn’t bind them as strongly GROUP TRENDS MELTING POINT Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710 Electronic config. 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2 DECREASES down Group • each atom contributes two electrons to the delocalised cloud • metallic bonding gets weaker due to increased size of ion • Group I metals have lower melting points than the equivalent Group II metal because each metal only contributes one electron to the cloud Larger ions mean that the electron cloud doesn’t bind them as strongly ©HOPTON

Larger ions mean that the electron cloud doesn’t bind them as strongly GROUP TRENDS ©HOPTON MELTING POINT Be Mg Ca Sr Ba Melting point / ºC 1283 650 850 770 710 Electronic config. 2,2 2,8,2 2,8,8,2 2,8,18,8,2 2,8,18,18,8,2 DECREASES down Group • each atom contributes two electrons to the delocalised cloud • metallic bonding gets weaker due to increased size of ion • Group I metals have lower melting points than the equivalent Group II metal because each metal only contributes one electron to the cloud NOTE Magnesium doesn’t fit the trend because crystalline structure can also affect the melting point of a metal Larger ions mean that the electron cloud doesn’t bind them as strongly

FIRST IONISATION ENERGY ©HOPTON

FIRST IONISATION ENERGY Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 ©HOPTON

FIRST IONISATION ENERGY Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 DECREASES down the Group Despite the increasing nuclear charge the values decrease due to the extra shielding provided by additional filled inner energy levels ©HOPTON

FIRST IONISATION ENERGY Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 DECREASES down the Group Despite the increasing nuclear charge the values decrease due to the extra shielding provided by additional filled inner energy levels 4+ BERYLLIUM There are 4 protons pulling on the outer shell electrons 1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1 ©HOPTON

FIRST IONISATION ENERGY Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 DECREASES down the Group Despite the increasing nuclear charge the values decrease due to the extra shielding provided by additional filled inner energy levels 12+ 4+ MAGNESIUM There are now 12 protons pulling on the outer shell electrons. However, the extra filled inner shell shields the nucleus from the outer shell electrons. The effective nuclear charge is less and the electrons are easier to remove. 1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 BERYLLIUM There are 4 protons pulling on the outer shell electrons 1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1 ©HOPTON

FIRST IONISATION ENERGY ©HOPTON Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 DECREASES down the Group Despite the increasing nuclear charge the values decrease due to the extra shielding provided by additional filled inner energy levels 12+ 4+ MAGNESIUM There are now 12 protons pulling on the outer shell electrons. However, the extra filled inner shell shield the nucleus from the outer shell electrons. The effective nuclear charge is less and the electrons are easier to remove. 1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 BERYLLIUM There are 4 protons pulling on the outer shell electrons 1st I.E. = 899 kJ mol-1 ©HOPTON

SUCCESSIVE IONISATION ENERGIES Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger ©HOPTON

SUCCESSIVE IONISATION ENERGIES Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger 12+ 1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 ©HOPTON

SUCCESSIVE IONISATION ENERGIES Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger 12+ 12+ 1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 2nd I.E. = 1500 kJ mol-1 There are now 12 protons and only 11 electrons. The increased ratio of protons to electrons means that it is harder to pull an electron out. ©HOPTON

SUCCESSIVE IONISATION ENERGIES Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger 12+ 12+ 12+ 1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 2nd I.E. = 1500 kJ mol-1 There are now 12 protons and only 11 electrons. The increased ratio of protons to electrons means that it is harder to pull an electron out. 3rd I.E. = 7733 kJ mol-1 There is a big jump in IE because the electron being removed is from a shell nearer the nucleus; there is less shielding. ©HOPTON

SUCCESSIVE IONISATION ENERGIES Be Mg Ca Sr Ba 1st I.E. / kJ mol-1 899 738 590 550 500 2nd I.E. / kJ mol-1 1800 1500 1100 1100 1000 3rd I.E. / kJ mol-1 14849 7733 4912 4120 3390 Successive Ionisation Energy values get larger 12+ 12+ 12+ 1st I.E. = 738 kJ mol-1 2nd I.E. = 1500 kJ mol-1 There are now 12 protons and only 11 electrons. The increased ratio of protons to electrons means that it is harder to pull an electron out. 3rd I.E. = 7733 kJ mol-1 There is a big jump in IE because the electron being removed is from a shell nearer the nucleus; there is less shielding. ©HOPTON

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS Reactivity increases down the Group due to the ease of cation formation ©HOPTON

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS Reactivity increases down the Group due to the ease of cation formation OXYGEN react with increasing vigour down the group Mg burns readily with a bright white flame 0 0 +2 -2 2Mg(s) + O2(g) —> 2MgO(s) Ba burns readily with an apple-green flame 2Ba(s) + O2(g) —> 2BaO(s) ©HOPTON

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS Reactivity increases down the Group due to the ease of cation formation OXYGEN react with increasing vigour down the group Mg burns readily with a bright white flame 0 0 +2 -2 2Mg(s) + O2(g) —> 2MgO(s) Ba burns readily with an apple-green flame 2Ba(s) + O2(g) —> 2BaO(s) In both cases… the metal is oxidised Oxidation No. increases from 0 to +2 oxygen is reduced Oxidation No. decreases from 0 to -2 Mg —> Mg2+ + 2e¯ O + 2e¯ —> O2- ©HOPTON

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS Reactivity increases down the Group due to the ease of cation formation ©HOPTON

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS Reactivity increases down the Group due to the ease of cation formation WATER react with increasing vigour down the group ©HOPTON

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS Reactivity increases down the Group due to the ease of cation formation WATER react with increasing vigour down the group Mg reacts very slowly with cold water Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) —> Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) but reacts quickly with steam Mg(s) + H2O(g) —> MgO(s) + H2(g) ©HOPTON

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS Reactivity increases down the Group due to the ease of cation formation WATER react with increasing vigour down the group Mg reacts very slowly with cold water Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) —> Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) but reacts quickly with steam Mg(s) + H2O(g) —> MgO(s) + H2(g) Ba reacts vigorously with cold water Ba(s) + 2H2O(l) —> Ba(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) ©HOPTON

OXIDES OF GROUP II Bonding • ionic solids; EXCEPT BeO which has covalent character • BeO (beryllium oxide) MgO (magnesium oxide) CaO (calcium oxide) SrO (strontium oxide) BaO (barium oxide) ©HOPTON

Solubility of hydroxide g/100cm3 of water OXIDES OF GROUP II Bonding • ionic solids; EXCEPT BeO which has covalent character • BeO (beryllium oxide) MgO (magnesium oxide) CaO (calcium oxide) SrO (strontium oxide) BaO (barium oxide) Reaction with water Be Mg Ca Sr NONE reacts Reactivity with water Ba Insoluble Sparingly soluble Slightly Quite Very - 9-10 Solubility of hydroxide g/100cm3 of water pH of solution ©HOPTON

Solubility of hydroxide g/100cm3 of water OXIDES OF GROUP II Bonding • ionic solids; EXCEPT BeO which has covalent character • BeO (beryllium oxide) MgO (magnesium oxide) CaO (calcium oxide) SrO (strontium oxide) BaO (barium oxide) Reaction with water React with water to produce the hydroxide (not Be) e.g. CaO(s) + H2O(l) —> Ca(OH)2(s) Be Mg Ca Sr NONE reacts Reactivity with water Ba Insoluble Sparingly soluble Slightly Quite Very - 9-10 Solubility of hydroxide g/100cm3 of water pH of solution ©HOPTON

HYDROXIDES OF GROUP II Properties basic strength also increases down group ©HOPTON

HYDROXIDES OF GROUP II Properties basic strength also increases down group • this is because the solubility increases • the metal ions get larger so charge density decreases • get a lower attraction between the OH¯ ions and larger 2+ ions • the ions will split away from each other more easily • there will be a greater concentration of OH¯ ions in water ©HOPTON

Solubility of hydroxide in water HYDROXIDES OF GROUP II Properties basic strength also increases down group • this is because the solubility increases • the metal ions get larger so charge density decreases • get a lower attraction between the OH¯ ions and larger 2+ ions • the ions will split away from each other more easily • there will be a greater concentration of OH¯ ions in water Be Mg Ca Sr NONE reacts Reactivity with water Ba Insoluble Sparingly soluble Slightly Quite Very - 9-10 Solubility of hydroxide in water pH of solution ©HOPTON

Solubility of hydroxide in water HYDROXIDES OF GROUP II ©HOPTON Properties basic strength also increases down group • this is because the solubility increases • the metal ions get larger so charge density decreases • get a lower attraction between the OH¯ ions and larger 2+ ions • the ions will split away from each other more easily • there will be a greater concentration of OH¯ ions in water Be Mg Ca Sr NONE reacts Reactivity with water Ba Insoluble Sparingly soluble Slightly Quite Very - 9-10 Solubility of hydroxide in water pH of solution Lower charge density of the larger Ca2+ ion means that it doesn’t hold onto the OH¯ ions as strongly. More OH¯ get released into the water. It is more soluble and the solution has a larger pH.

Both the above are weak alkalis and not as caustic as sodium hydroxide HYDROXIDES OF GROUP II Uses Ca(OH)2 used in agriculture to neutralise acid soils Ca(OH)2(s) + 2H+ (aq) —> Ca2+(aq) + 2H2O(l) Mg(OH)2 used in toothpaste and indigestion tablets as an antacid Mg(OH)2(s) + 2H+ (aq) —> Mg2+(aq) + 2H2O(l) Both the above are weak alkalis and not as caustic as sodium hydroxide ©HOPTON

CARBONATES OF GROUP II ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water CARBONATES OF GROUP II Properties • insoluble in water MgCO3 CaCO3 SrCO3 BaCO3 Solubility g/100cm3 of water 1.5 x 10-4 1.3 x 10-5 7.4 x 10-6 9.1 x 10-6 ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water Decomposition temperature / ºC CARBONATES OF GROUP II Properties • insoluble in water • undergo thermal decomposition to oxide and carbon dioxide e.g. MgCO3(s) —> MgO(s) + CO2(g) MgCO3 CaCO3 SrCO3 BaCO3 Solubility g/100cm3 of water 1.5 x 10-4 1.3 x 10-5 7.4 x 10-6 9.1 x 10-6 Decomposition temperature / ºC 400 980 1280 1360 ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water Decomposition temperature / ºC CARBONATES OF GROUP II Properties • insoluble in water • undergo thermal decomposition to oxide and carbon dioxide e.g. MgCO3(s) —> MgO(s) + CO2(g) • the ease of decomposition decreases down the group MgCO3 CaCO3 SrCO3 BaCO3 Solubility g/100cm3 of water 1.5 x 10-4 1.3 x 10-5 7.4 x 10-6 9.1 x 10-6 Decomposition temperature / ºC 400 980 1280 1360 ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water Decomposition temperature / ºC CARBONATES OF GROUP II Properties • insoluble in water • undergo thermal decomposition to oxide and carbon dioxide e.g. MgCO3(s) —> MgO(s) + CO2(g) • the ease of decomposition decreases down the group MgCO3 CaCO3 SrCO3 BaCO3 Solubility g/100cm3 of water 1.5 x 10-4 1.3 x 10-5 7.4 x 10-6 9.1 x 10-6 Decomposition temperature / ºC 400 980 1280 1360 EASIER HARDER ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water Decomposition temperature / ºC CARBONATES OF GROUP II Properties • insoluble in water • undergo thermal decomposition to oxide and carbon dioxide e.g. MgCO3(s) —> MgO(s) + CO2(g) • the ease of decomposition decreases down the group MgCO3 CaCO3 SrCO3 BaCO3 Solubility g/100cm3 of water 1.5 x 10-4 1.3 x 10-5 7.4 x 10-6 9.1 x 10-6 Decomposition temperature / ºC 400 980 1280 1360 EASIER HARDER One might think that the greater charge density of the smaller Mg2+ would mean that it would hold onto the CO32- ion more and the ions would be more difficult to separate. ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water Decomposition temperature / ºC CARBONATES OF GROUP II ©HOPTON Properties • insoluble in water • undergo thermal decomposition to oxide and carbon dioxide e.g. MgCO3(s) —> MgO(s) + CO2(g) • the ease of decomposition decreases down the group MgCO3 CaCO3 SrCO3 BaCO3 Solubility g/100cm3 of water 1.5 x 10-4 1.3 x 10-5 7.4 x 10-6 9.1 x 10-6 Decomposition temperature / ºC 400 980 1280 1360 EASIER HARDER One might think that the greater charge density of the smaller Mg2+ would mean that it would hold onto the CO32- ion more and the ions would be more difficult to separate. The driving force must be the formation of the oxide. The smaller ion with its greater charge density holds onto the O2- ion to make a more stable compound.

Solubility g/100cm3 of water GROUP TRENDS SULPHATES MgSO4 CaSO4 SrSO4 BaSO4 3.6 x 10-1 1.1 x 10-3 6.2 x 10-5 9.0 x 10-7 Solubility g/100cm3 of water ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water GROUP TRENDS SULPHATES MgSO4 CaSO4 SrSO4 BaSO4 3.6 x 10-1 1.1 x 10-3 6.2 x 10-5 9.0 x 10-7 Solubility g/100cm3 of water SOLUBILITY DECREASES down the Group • as the cation gets larger it has a lower charge density • it becomes less attracted to the polar water molecules ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water GROUP TRENDS SULPHATES MgSO4 CaSO4 SrSO4 BaSO4 3.6 x 10-1 1.1 x 10-3 6.2 x 10-5 9.0 x 10-7 Solubility g/100cm3 of water SOLUBILITY DECREASES down the Group • as the cation gets larger it has a lower charge density • it becomes less attracted to the polar water molecules Greater charge density of Mg2+ ion means that it is more attracted to water so the ionic lattice breaks up more easily ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water GROUP TRENDS SULPHATES MgSO4 CaSO4 SrSO4 BaSO4 3.6 x 10-1 1.1 x 10-3 6.2 x 10-5 9.0 x 10-7 Solubility g/100cm3 of water SOLUBILITY DECREASES down the Group • as the cation gets larger it has a lower charge density • it becomes less attracted to the polar water molecules Lower charge density of larger Ca2+ means that it is less attracted to water so the ionic lattice breaks up less easily – IT IS LESS SOLUBLE Greater charge density of Mg2+ ion means that it is more attracted to water so the ionic lattice breaks up more easily ©HOPTON

Solubility g/100cm3 of water GROUP TRENDS SULPHATES MgSO4 CaSO4 SrSO4 BaSO4 3.6 x 10-1 1.1 x 10-3 6.2 x 10-5 9.0 x 10-7 Solubility g/100cm3 of water SOLUBILITY DECREASES down the Group • as the cation gets larger it has a lower charge density • it becomes less attracted to the polar water molecules USE barium sulphate’s insolubility is used as a test for sulphates Lower charge density of larger Ca2+ means that it is less attracted to water so the ionic lattice breaks up less easily – IT IS LESS SOLUBLE Greater charge density of Mg2+ ion means that it is more attracted to water so the ionic lattice breaks up more easily ©HOPTON