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3.2.2 Group 2, The Alkaline Earth Metals

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

Card preview (24)

#1
Front (Question)

Group 2 elements lose __ electrons when they react

Back (Answer)

2 (all end s2 & make 2+ ions)

#2
Front (Question)

Atomic Radius _____ Down the Group

Back (Answer)

Increases

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#3
Front (Question)

Why does atomic radius increase down the group? (3)

Back (Answer)

• Number of shells increase • More distance between nucleus and outer electrons • Outer shells more shielded • Less attraction between nucleus and outer electrons

#4
Front (Question)

First Ionisation Energy ______ Down the Group

Back (Answer)

Decreases

#5
Front (Question)

Explain why first ionisation energy decreases down the group (4)

Back (Answer)

• Number of shells increase • Increased distance between nucleus and outer electrons • Outer shells more shielded • Less attraction between nucleus and outer electrons • Easier to remove outer electron = less energy

#6
Front (Question)

Reactivity ______ Down the Group

Back (Answer)

Increases

#7
Front (Question)

Explain why reactivity increases down the group

Back (Answer)

• First ionisation energy decreases down group • Due to increasing atomic radius and shielding effect • When Group 2 elements react = lose electrons & form positive ions • Easier it is to lose electrons (i.e. the lower the 1st and 2nd ionisation energies) = more reactive the element • So reactivity increases down group

#8
Front (Question)

Melting Points _______ _______ Down the Group

Back (Answer)

Generally Decrease

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#9
Front (Question)

Describe Group 2 elements’ structure

Back (Answer)

• Metallic structures • Positive ions in crystal structure surround by delocalised electrons from outer electron shells

#10
Front (Question)

Why do melting points generally decrease down the group? (4)

Back (Answer)

• Size of positive ion increases, but charge remains the same • Delocalised electrons further away from positive ions • Weaker electrostatic forces of attraction between positive ions and delocalised electrons • Weaker metallic bonds = less energy needed to break

#11
Front (Question)

Where is there a big ‘blip’ at magnesium?

Back (Answer)

∵ crystal structure (arrangement of metallic ions) changes

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#12
Front (Question)

Group 2 Elements React with ____

Back (Answer)

Water

#13
Front (Question)

When they react with water, they are oxidised from start of ____ to ____ forming ____ ____

Back (Answer)

When they react with water, they are oxidised from start of 0 to +2 forming M2+ ions

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#14
Front (Question)

When Group 2 metal react with water, what 2 products do they give?

Back (Answer)

Metal hydroxide and hydrogen

#15
Front (Question)

Group 2 Elements React with Water State the general symbol equation

Back (Answer)

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#16
Front (Question)

Group 2 metals react ___ _____ down the group

Back (Answer)

more readily

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#17
Front (Question)

Why do Group 2 metals react more readily down the group?

Back (Answer)

∵ ionisation energies decrease

#18
Front (Question)

Solubility Trends depend on ______ ___

Back (Answer)

Compound Anion

#19
Front (Question)

State the 2 general solubility trends of Group 2 elements

Back (Answer)

• Generally, compounds of Group 2 elements that contain singly charged negative ions (e.g. OH-) ↑ in solubility down group • Compounds that contain doubly charged negative ions (e.g. SO4-2) ↓ in solubility down group

#20
Front (Question)

Fill in the gaps

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Back (Answer)

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#21
Front (Question)

What are compounds like magnesium hydroxide, which have very low solubilities said to be?

Back (Answer)

Sparingly soluble

#22
Front (Question)

Barium sulfate is _____ in water

Back (Answer)

insoluble

#23
Front (Question)

Describe the test for sulfate ions (SO42-)

Back (Answer)

• Add dilute hydrochloric acid and then barium chloride solution, BaCl2(aq) • If white precipitate of barium sulfate forms = original compound contained sulfate

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#24
Front (Question)

Test for sulfate ions Why should you acidify the solution?

Back (Answer)

To get rid of any lurking sulfites or carbonates which will also produce a white precipitate