Topic 10
Group 2
Topic 10 covers the reactions of the Group 2 elements with oxygen, water and dilute acids, the reactions of their oxides, hydroxides and carbonates with water and acids, the thermal decomposition of the nitrates and carbonates and the trend in stability, the variation in solubility of the hydroxides and sulfates, and predictions from these trends. Group 1 is kept on the pages for comparison; the tests for ions page supports the qualitative analysis in the practical papers.
Revision Notes
6 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
Trends Down Groups 1 and 2
The trends down Group 2: atomic radius, ionisation energies, melting points and the increase in reactivity down the group.
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Reactions of the Group 1 and 2 Elements
The reactions of the Group 2 elements with oxygen, chlorine, water, steam and dilute acids, with equations, observations and redox analysis.
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Oxides, Hydroxides and Carbonates
Group 2 oxides, hydroxides and carbonates: reactions with water and acids, pH trend, and uses of Ca(OH)₂, Mg(OH)₂ and CaCO₃.
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Solubility Trends and the Sulfate Test
Group 2 solubility trends: hydroxides and sulfates, Mg(OH)₂ and BaSO₄, the acidified barium chloride test for sulfate ions and barium meals.
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Thermal Stability and Flame Colours
Thermal stability of Group 1 and 2 nitrates and carbonates, polarisation by the cation, the experiments, and flame colours explained by electron transitions.
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Tests for Ions
Tests for carbonate, hydrogencarbonate, sulfate, halide and ammonium ions, with ionic equations and the order of tests on an unknown.
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Summary map
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Group 2 Map
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry · Topic 10 Group 2
The whole section on one A4 page: trends down the group, reactions with oxygen, water and acids, the oxides, hydroxides and carbonates, thermal stability, solubility and making predictions.
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Specification
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10.1.1
- c
describe, and write equations for, the reactions of the elements with dilute hydrochloric acid
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10.1.2
- b
describe, and write equations for, the reactions of the oxides with dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids
Revise - d
describe, and write equations for, the reactions of the hydroxides with dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids
Revise - f
describe, and write equations for, the reactions of the carbonates with dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids
Revise
10.1.3
10.1.4
- a
describe the trends in physical and chemical properties of the elements involved in the reactions in 10.1.1 and the compounds involved in 10.1.2, 10.1.3 and 10.1.5
Revise - b
make predictions from the trends in physical and chemical properties of the elements involved in the reactions in 10.1.1 and the compounds involved in 10.1.2, 10.1.3 and 10.1.5
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10.1.5
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