group 2 alkaline earth
Overview
This lesson explores Group 2 elements, the alkaline earth metals, focusing on their atomic structure, physical and chemical properties, and trends down the group. We will examine their characteristic reactions, including those with oxygen, water, and acids, and discuss the solubility of their compounds.
Introduction to Group 2 Elements and Atomic Structure
Group 2 elements, also known as the **alkaline earth metals**, include Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), and Radium (Ra). They are all metals and are found in the s-block of the periodic table. Their characteristic electronic configuration ends in **ns²**, ...
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Key Concepts
- Alkaline Earth Metals: Group 2 elements (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra) characterized by having two valence electrons.
- Ionisation Energy: The energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms or ions.
- Metallic Character: The extent to which an element exhibits properties typical of metals, such as conductivity and malleability.
- Solubility: The maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature.
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Exam Tips
- →**Understand Trends:** Be able to explain the trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy, melting points, and reactivity down Group 2, linking them to atomic structure and electron shielding.
- →**Solubility Rules:** Memorise the solubility trends for Group 2 hydroxides and sulfates and be able to explain the reasons for these trends in terms of lattice energy and hydration energy.
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