Group 2 Elements & Compounds Trends in Chemical Properties
Reactivity increases down the group Reaction with Water Be Does not react Mg Slowly with cold water Reacts readily with steam Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(S) + H2(g) Ca All react with cold water Increasing reactivity Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) Sr Sr(s) + 2H2O(l) → Sr(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) Ba Ba(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ba(OH)2(aq) + H2(g) Reactivity increases down the group No of energy levels increases down group Outer “s” e- further from nucleus More easily lost
Metal Hydroxides Mg(OH)2 Sparingly Soluble (only a v small amount dissolves) Milk of Magnesia Ca(OH)2 Slightly soluble Limewater Sr(OH)2 Soluble Ba(OH)2 Milk of Magnesia suspension of Mg(OH)2 in water taken to neutralise acid indigestion . Very weak alkali Excess doesn’t disturb digestion (sparingly soluble)
Solubility increases down the group Metal Hydroxides Mg(OH)2 Sparingly Soluble (only a v small amount dissolves) Solubility increases down the group Ca(OH)2 Slightly soluble Sr(OH)2 Soluble Ba(OH)2 MgCl2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Mg(OH)2(s) + 2NaCl(aq) white precipitate BaCl2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Ba(OH)2(aq) + 2NaCl(aq) no precipitate
Metal Sulphates MgSO4 Very Soluble Epsom Salts (laxative) CaSO4 Sparingly soluble SrSO4 Insoluble BaSO4 Very Insoluble Barium Meal Barium Sulphate – extremely insoluble in water BaSO4 is opaque to X rays Suspension of BaSO4 given to patients with digestive problems X-ray will highlight problems
Solubility increases up the group Metal Sulphates MgSO4 Very Soluble Solubility increases up the group CaSO4 Sparingly soluble SrSO4 Insoluble BaSO4 Very Insoluble MgCl2 (aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + 2NaCl(aq) no precipitate BaCl2(aq) + 2NaSO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq) white precipitate
Test for Sulphate ions Add dilute nitric acid (this prevents the formation of unwanted precipitates) Add few drops of Barium nitrate Or Add dilute hydrochloric acid Add few drops of Barium chloride
Test for Sulphate ions BaCl2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq) white precipitate If sulphate ions are present in solution a white ppt of barium sulphate will form. Ba(NO3)2(aq) + 2KSO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2KNO3(aq)