.

Group 2A Elements: The Alkaline Earth Metals - Comprehensive

Review
Elements Involved:
●​ Beryllium (Be) - Unique due to small size and high charge density.
●​ Magnesium (Mg) - Common and important biologically.
●​ Calcium (Ca) - Crucial for bones, widespread in nature.
●​ Strontium (Sr) - Used in fireworks.
●​ Barium (Ba) - Used in medicine (barium meal).
●​ Radium (Ra) - Radioactive, generally less focus on its chemistry in MDCAT but important
to know it's a part of the group.

I. General Characteristics and Trends (No Point Missed!):

1.​ Electronic Configuration: Always ns^2. This means they have two valence electrons in
their outermost 's' orbital.
○​ Be: [He]2s^2
○​ Mg: [Ne]3s^2
○​ Ca: [Ar]4s^2
○​ Sr: [Kr]5s^2
○​ Ba: [Xe]6s^2
2.​ Oxidation State: Exclusively +2 in their compounds because they readily lose both
valence electrons to achieve a stable noble gas configuration.
3.​ Metallic Character: All are true metals. Silvery-white, lustrous (when freshly cut),
relatively soft but harder than Group 1 metals. Metallic character increases down the
group.
4.​ Reactivity: Highly reactive, but less reactive than Group 1 alkali metals due to higher
ionization energies and smaller atomic radii. Reactivity increases down the group (Be <
Mg < Ca < Sr < Ba).
5.​ Ionization Energy (IE):
○​ First IE: Low, allowing easy removal of the first electron. Decreases down the
group.
○​ Second IE: Higher than the first but still relatively low. Also decreases down the
group.
○​ Third IE: Extremely high, preventing the formation of +3 ions.
6.​ Atomic and Ionic Radii: Both atomic and ionic radii increase down the group as new
electron shells are added.
7.​ Electronegativity: Low values, indicating their tendency to lose electrons. Decreases
down the group.
8.​ Electropositivity: High, reflecting their metallic character. Increases down the group.
9.​ Density: Generally increases down the group (Be < Mg < Ca < Sr < Ba). Exception:
Calcium is less dense than magnesium, which is an important anomaly. (Density of Ca is
around 1.55 g/cm$^3$, Mg is 1.74 g/cm$^3$).
10.​Melting and Boiling Points: Generally higher than Group 1 metals due to stronger
metallic bonding (two electrons contribute to the electron sea). Trends are somewhat
 irregular but often show a general decrease down the group from Mg onwards. Beryllium
has an unusually high melting point due to its strong covalent character in its metallic
bond.
11.​Flame Tests: When heated in a flame, some Group 2A salts produce characteristic colors
due to electron excitation and subsequent emission of light upon de-excitation. This is an
important qualitative test.
○​ Calcium (Ca): Brick Red
○​ Strontium (Sr): Crimson Red
○​ Barium (Ba): Apple Green
○​ Beryllium and Magnesium do not show characteristic flame colors because their
electrons are too tightly bound to be excited by the typical flame temperatures.

II. Chemical Properties and Reactions (Every Detail Covered!):

1.​ Reaction with Oxygen/Air:

○​ Generally form normal oxides (MO).
■​ 2M(s) + O_2(g) \rightarrow 2MO(s)
○​ Magnesium burns with a brilliant white light to form MgO.
○​ Strontium and Barium can also form peroxides (MO_2) when heated in oxygen
under pressure.
○​ All react with nitrogen in the air (especially upon heating) to form nitrides (M_3N_2).
■​ 3M(s) + N_2(g) \rightarrow M_3N_2(s) (Nitrides are ionic and react with water
to produce ammonia).
2.​ Reaction with Water: Reactivity increases down the group.
○​ Beryllium (Be): Does not react with cold water or steam even at red heat due to a
strong, adherent oxide layer.
○​ Magnesium (Mg): Reacts slowly with cold water (forming Mg(OH)_2 and H_2).
Reacts vigorously with steam (forming MgO and H_2).
■​ Mg(s) + 2H_2O(l) \rightarrow Mg(OH)_2(aq) + H_2(g) (slow, cold water)
■​ Mg(s) + H_2O(g) \rightarrow MgO(s) + H_2(g) (vigorous, steam)
○​ Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba): React readily and vigorously with cold
water to form hydroxides and hydrogen gas. The vigor increases down the group.
■​ M(s) + 2H_2O(l) \rightarrow M(OH)_2(aq) + H_2(g)
3.​ Reaction with Halogens: All react directly with halogens to form ionic halides (MX_2).
○​ M(s) + X_2(g) \rightarrow MX_2(s)
4.​ Reaction with Acids (Dilute): React vigorously with dilute acids to produce hydrogen
gas and metal salts.
○​ M(s) + 2HCl(aq) \rightarrow MCl_2(aq) + H_2(g)
○​ Important Consideration: With dilute sulfuric acid, Ca, Sr, and Ba can become
"passive" due to the formation of an insoluble sulfate (CaSO_4, SrSO_4, BaSO_4)
layer on the metal surface, which prevents further reaction.
5.​ Reaction with Hydrogen: Form ionic hydrides (MH_2) upon heating, except Beryllium
which forms a covalent polymeric hydride, BeH_2.
6.​ Reaction with Non-metals (e.g., Sulfur, Phosphorus, Carbon): Form various
compounds upon heating.

III. Important Compounds and Their Properties (All Key Compounds):

 1.​ Oxides (MO):
○​ All are basic oxides, except BeO which is amphoteric. Basicity increases down the
group.
○​ They are high melting point solids.
2.​ Hydroxides (M(OH)_2):
○​ Basicity: All are basic, except Be(OH)_2 which is amphoteric. Basicity increases
down the group.
○​ Solubility: Solubility in water increases down the group.
■​ Be(OH)_2: Insoluble (amphoteric, reacts with strong acids and bases).
■​ Mg(OH)_2: Sparingly soluble (Milk of Magnesia).
■​ Ca(OH)_2: Slightly soluble (Slaked Lime/Lime water).
■​ Sr(OH)_2 and Ba(OH)_2: Increasingly soluble.
3.​ Sulfates (MSO_4):
○​ Solubility: Solubility in water decreases down the group.
■​ BeSO_4: Soluble
■​ MgSO_4: Soluble (Epsom salt)
■​ CaSO_4: Sparingly soluble (Gypsum)
■​ SrSO_4: Insoluble
■​ BaSO_4: Highly insoluble (used as a "barium meal" for X-rays as it's
non-toxic due to insolubility).
○​ Thermal Stability: Generally increases down the group.
4.​ Carbonates (MCO_3):
○​ Solubility: All are sparingly soluble or insoluble in water. Solubility generally
decreases down the group.
○​ Thermal Stability: Thermal stability increases down the group.
■​ BeCO_3: Very unstable, decomposes easily.
■​ MgCO_3: Decomposes at moderate temperatures.
■​ CaCO_3: Decomposes at high temperatures (limestone to quicklime).
■​ BaCO_3: Requires very high temperatures for decomposition.
■​ MCO_3(s) \rightarrow MO(s) + CO_2(g)
5.​ Nitrates (M(NO_3)_2):
○​ Decompose on heating to give metal oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen gas
(unlike Group 1 nitrates, except LiNO3).
■​ 2M(NO_3)_2(s) \rightarrow 2MO(s) + 4NO_2(g) + O_2(g)
○​ Thermal stability increases down the group.

IV. Anomalous Behavior of Beryllium (Very Important!):

Beryllium is the first member and the smallest element in Group 2A, exhibiting anomalous
behavior due to:
●​ Extremely small atomic and ionic size.
●​ Very high charge-to-radius ratio (charge density).
●​ High electronegativity compared to other Group 2A metals.
●​ Absence of d-orbitals in its valence shell.
Key Anomalies of Beryllium:
1.​ Covalent Character: Its compounds (especially halides like BeCl_2) are largely covalent,
unlike the predominantly ionic compounds of other Group 2A metals. BeCl_2 is a
polymeric solid.
 2.​ Amphoteric Nature: Its oxide (BeO) and hydroxide (Be(OH)_2) are amphoteric (react
with both acids and strong bases), while others are basic.
○​ Be(OH)_2 + 2HCl \rightarrow BeCl_2 + 2H_2O
○​ Be(OH)_2 + 2NaOH \rightarrow Na_2[Be(OH)_4] (Sodium beryllate)
3.​ Resistance to Water/Acids: It does not react with water or steam. It reacts slowly with
acids due to a protective oxide layer (passivity), similar to Aluminium.
4.​ Formation of Complexes: Has a strong tendency to form complexes, e.g.,
[Be(H_2O)_4]^{2+}.
5.​ Diagonal Relationship with Aluminium (Al): Due to similar charge-to-radius ratio.
○​ Both form largely covalent compounds.
○​ Both have amphoteric oxides/hydroxides.
○​ Both are resistant to acids due to oxide layer formation.
○​ Both react with strong alkalis to form soluble complex ions (beryllates, aluminates).
○​ Both form polymeric halides (BeCl_2, Al_2Cl_6).

V. Uses of Alkaline Earth Metals and their Compounds (Practical Applications):

●​ Beryllium: Alloys (Be-Cu for springs, Be-Ni for non-sparking tools), nuclear reactors
(moderator).
●​ Magnesium: Lightweight alloys (aircraft, automobiles), Grignard reagents (organic
synthesis), flash photography, fireworks, antacids (Mg(OH)_2 - Milk of Magnesia),
laxatives, refractory bricks (MgO).
●​ Calcium:
○​ Limestone (CaCO_3): Building material, cement manufacturing, antacid.
○​ Quicklime (CaO): Cement manufacturing, steel production, drying agent.
○​ Slaked Lime (Ca(OH)_2): Mortar, whitewash, water treatment, agriculture
(neutralizing acidic soil).
○​ Gypsum (CaSO_4 \cdot 2H_2O): Plaster of Paris (CaSO_4 \cdot \frac{1}{2}H_2O),
fertilizer, drywall.
○​ Essential for bones, teeth, blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve function.
●​ Strontium: Red color in fireworks (Sr(NO3)2), signal flares.
●​ Barium:
○​ Barium Sulfate (BaSO_4): "Barium meal" for X-ray imaging of the digestive tract
(insoluble and non-toxic), white pigment.
○​ Barium Carbonate (BaCO_3): Rat poison, ceramic glazes.
○​ Green color in fireworks.

VI. Biological Importance (Crucial for MDCAT):

●​ Magnesium: Essential co-factor for many enzymes, component of chlorophyll (central

atom in porphyrin ring), important for muscle and nerve function.
●​ Calcium: Most abundant mineral in the body. Primary component of bones and teeth.
Crucial for blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and cell
signaling.

Practice MCQs (To solidify your understanding):

Here are some challenging MCQs, ensuring we cover previously potentially missed concepts:
1. Which of the following statements correctly describes the trend in Group 2A? a) Atomic
radius decreases, and ionization energy increases down the group. b) Metallic character
increases, and basicity of hydroxides decreases down the group. c) Solubility of sulfates
decreases, and thermal stability of carbonates increases down the group. d) Density uniformly
increases down the group without exception.
2. Beryllium hydroxide is unique among Group 2A hydroxides because it is: a) Highly
soluble in water. b) Strongly basic. c) Amphoteric. d) Used as an antacid.
3. Which of the following compounds of calcium is responsible for its use in agriculture
to neutralize acidic soil? a) CaO b) Ca(OH)_2 c) CaCO_3 d) CaSO_4
4. When a Group 2A metal, M, reacts with steam, the products are a metal oxide and
hydrogen gas. This reaction is characteristic of which metal? a) Beryllium b) Magnesium c)
Calcium d) Barium
5. Which of the following is NOT a property shared between Beryllium and Aluminium
due to their diagonal relationship? a) Formation of largely covalent compounds. b)
Amphoteric nature of their oxides. c) Formation of protective oxide layers making them resistant
to acids. d) Showing characteristic flame tests.
6. The density trend for Group 2A elements shows an anomaly. Which element is less
dense than the element immediately preceding it in the group? a) Magnesium b) Calcium c)
Strontium d) Barium
7. Which of the following Group 2A compounds is used as a contrast agent for X-ray
imaging of the digestive system? a) Magnesium sulfate b) Calcium carbonate c) Barium
sulfate d) Strontium nitrate
Answers:
1.​ c) Solubility of sulfates decreases, and thermal stability of carbonates increases
down the group. (All other options have at least one incorrect part: a) incorrect, both
increase. b) basicity increases. d) density has Ca anomaly).
2.​ c) Amphoteric. (This is the key unique property of Be(OH)2).
3.​ b) Ca(OH)_2 (Slaked lime is commonly used to neutralize soil acidity).
4.​ b) Magnesium (Beryllium doesn't react, Ca/Sr/Ba react with cold water, Mg specifically
reacts vigorously with steam to form oxide, not hydroxide).
5.​ d) Showing characteristic flame tests. (Neither Be nor Al show characteristic flame
colors).
6.​ b) Calcium (Calcium is less dense than Magnesium, which precedes it).
7.​ c) Barium sulfate (Its insolubility makes it safe for internal use).