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2. Group 2, alkaline earth metals

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

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#1
Front (Question)

What are the elements in group 2 called?

Back (Answer)

The alkaline earth metals

#2
Front (Question)

What is atomic radius?

Back (Answer)

The distance from the centre of the nucleus to the outer electrons

#3
Front (Question)

What happens to atomic radii down group II?

Back (Answer)

It increases

#4
Front (Question)

Why does atomic radius increase down group II?

Back (Answer)

• more shells as you move down the group • so increased distance from nucleus • so atomic radius ↑

#5
Front (Question)

What is the first ionisation energy?

Back (Answer)

The enthalpy change when 1 mole of gaseous atoms forms one mole of positive gaseous atoms (by losing 1 mole of electrons)

#6
Front (Question)

What happens to first ionisation energy down group II?

Back (Answer)

Decreases

#7
Front (Question)

Why does first ionisation energy decrease down group II?

Back (Answer)

• more shells down group • outer electrons so ↑ distance from nucleus • so increased shielding • so weaker attraction for outer electrons

#8
Front (Question)

What is melting point?

Back (Answer)

The point at which sufficient bonds are broken/loosened within the substance so that the solid and liquid phase are in equilibrium

#9
Front (Question)

What happens to the melting point down group II?

Back (Answer)

Decreases

#10
Front (Question)

Why does melting point decrease down group II?

Back (Answer)

• Metals held by metallic bonds * Atomic radii ↑ down group but same number of delocalised electrons = less attraction between metal ions and electrons

#11
Front (Question)

What is the irregularity in the trend that melting point decreases down group II?

Back (Answer)

Mg

#12
Front (Question)

Why is Mg an irregularity in the trend that melting point decreases down group II?

Back (Answer)

It has a different crystal structure from the other elements, which is less packed and therefore easier to separate

#13
Front (Question)

Which group II compounds react with water?

Back (Answer)

All of them

#14
Front (Question)

What do group II compounds react with water to produce?

Back (Answer)

The metal hydroxide and hydrogen

#15
Front (Question)

What is the rate of reaction when Mg reacts with water?

Back (Answer)

Very slow

#16
Front (Question)

What is the equation for the reaction of Mg with water?

Back (Answer)

Mg₍ₛ₎ + H₂O₍ₗ₎ → Mg(OH)₂₍ₐᵩ₎ + H₂₍𝓰₎

#17
Front (Question)

What happens when Mg is heated in steam?

Back (Answer)

It will burn to form an oxide

#18
Front (Question)

What is the equation for the reaction of Mg with steam?

Back (Answer)

Mg₍ₛ₎ + H₂O₍𝓰₎ → MgO₍ₛ₎ + H₂₍𝓰₎

#19
Front (Question)

For group II elements, from calcium to barium, how do they react with cold water down the group?

Back (Answer)

React with increasing vigour down the group

#20
Front (Question)

Why do group II elements, from calcium to barium, react more vigorously with water down the group?

Back (Answer)

• more likely to lose electrons • larger atom/more shells • greater distance from nucleus to outer electrons • ↑ shielding • easier to lose outer electrons

#21
Front (Question)

What is solubility?

Back (Answer)

The maximum amount of solute that will dissolve in a given volume of solvent (i.e. how easily it dissolves)

#22
Front (Question)

How soluble is something when it is ‘sparingly soluble’?

Back (Answer)

Not very soluble

#23
Front (Question)

Why is Mg(OH)₂ considered to be sparingly soluble?

Back (Answer)

A very small amount of it dissolves, giving a suspension of magnesium hydroxide in water (milk of magnesia)

#24
Front (Question)

How is milk of magnesia formed?

Back (Answer)

Magnesium hydroxide is dissolved, giving a suspension in water