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Group II Elements: Properties & Trends

Group II elements include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium. They have similar properties as their valence electrons are in s orbitals. Atomic and ionic radii increase down the group as additional shells shield the nucleus. Melting points decrease as metallic bonding is weakened by larger size. Ionization energies decrease as atoms are easier to oxidize. Reactivity increases down the group due to easier cation formation. Oxides are ionic solids except for beryllium oxide. Hydroxides are bases whose strength increases due to more soluble ions. Carbonates are insoluble but decompose to oxides and carbon dioxide with increasing temperature down the group.

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101 views3 pages

Group II Elements: Properties & Trends

Group II elements include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium. They have similar properties as their valence electrons are in s orbitals. Atomic and ionic radii increase down the group as additional shells shield the nucleus. Melting points decrease as metallic bonding is weakened by larger size. Ionization energies decrease as atoms are easier to oxidize. Reactivity increases down the group due to easier cation formation. Oxides are ionic solids except for beryllium oxide. Hydroxides are bases whose strength increases due to more soluble ions. Carbonates are insoluble but decompose to oxides and carbon dioxide with increasing temperature down the group.

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Andreea Maria Pavel
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Group II

F321

GROUP II ELEMENTS
Beryllium to Barium
Introduction

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.

Atomic Number
Electronic configuration

Be

Mg

Ca

Sr

Ba

12

20

38

56

1s22s2

[Ne] 3s2

[Ar] 4s2

[Kr] 5s2

[Xe] 6s2

TRENDS
Atomic Radius

Increases down each group

Atomic radius / nm

Ionic Size

electrons are in shells further from the nucleus


Be

Mg

Ca

Sr

Ba

0.106

0.140

0.174

0.191

0.198

Increases down the group


The size of positive ions is less than the original atom because the nuclear charge
exceeds the electronic charge.
2+

Ionic radius / nm

Melting Points

2+

Mg

Ca

0.030

0.064

0.094

Sr

2+

0.110

Ba

2+

0.134

Decrease down each group metallic bonding gets weaker due to increased size
Each atom contributes two electrons to the delocalised cloud. Melting points tend
not to give a decent trend as different crystalline structures affect the melting point.

Melting point / C

Ionisation Energy

2+

Be

Be

Mg

Ca

Sr

Ba

1283

650

850

770

710

Decreases down the group atomic size increases


Values for Group I are low because the electron has just gone into a new level and
is shielded by filled inner levels. This makes them reactive. Group II elements have
higher values than their Group I equivalents due to the increased nuclear charge.

Ist I.E. / kJ mol

Be

Mg

Ca

Sr

Ba

899

738

590

550

500

-1

1800

1500

1100

1100

1000

-1

14849

7733

4912

4120

3390

-1

2nd I.E. / kJ mol


3rd I.E. / kJ mol

There is a large increase for the 3rd I.E. as the electron is now being removed
from a shell nearer the nucleus and there is less shielding.

KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING 2008

Group II

F321

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ELEMENTS


Overall

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

metal is oxidised
oxygen is reduced

Water

Oxidation No. increases from 0 to +2


Oxidation No. decreases from 0 to -2

Mg >

Mg2+

2e >

O2-

2e

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)

Ba

>

MgO(s) +

H2(g)

react with vigourously with cold water


Ba(s) + 2H2O(l)

>

Ba(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)

OXIDES OF GROUP II ELEMENTS


Properties

ionic solids; EXC. beryllium oxide which has covalent character

BeO
MgO
CaO
SrO
BaO

beryllium oxide
magnesium oxide
calcium oxide
strontium oxide
barium oxide

KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING 2008

Group II

F321

Reaction
with water

Most Group II oxides react with water to produce the hydroxide


e.g.

CaO(s) + H2O(l)

Reactivity with water


Solubility of hydroxide
3
g/100cm of water

> Ca(OH)2(s)

BeO

MgO

CaO

SrO

BaO

NONE

reacts

reacts

reacts

reacts

insoluble

sparingly

slightly

quite

very

pH of solution

9-10

Hydroxides

basic strength also increases down group


this is because the solubility increases
the metal ions get larger so charge density decreases
there is a lower attraction between the OH ions and larger dipositive ions
the ions will split away from each other more easily
there will be a greater concentration of OH ions in water

Uses of
hydroxides

Ca(OH)2

used in agriculture to neutralise acid soils


+ 2H+ (aq) > Ca2+(aq)

Ca(OH)2(s)
Mg(OH)2

+ 2H2O(l)

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

CARBONATES
Properties

insoluble in water
undergo thermal decomposition to oxide and carbon dioxide
e.g.

MgCO3(s)

>

MgO(s) + CO2(g)

ease of decomposition decreases down the group

MgCO3
3

Solubility (g/100cm of water)


Decomposition temperature / C

1.5 x 10
400

-4

CaCO3
1.3 x 10
980

KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING 2008

-5

SrCO3
7.4 x 10
1280

BaCO3
-6

9.1 x 10
1360

-6

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