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
Work through Topic 10 Group 2 in a structured sequence.
Trends
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.
Start revisingReactions
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.
Start revisingHydroxides
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.
Start revisingTrends
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.
Start revisingStability
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.
Start revisingIons
Tests for Ions
Tests for carbonate, hydrogencarbonate, sulfate, halide and ammonium ions, with ionic equations and the order of tests on an unknown.
Start revisingTopic 10 Group 2 – Cambridge International AS Level Chemistry
The following Cambridge learning outcomes state what candidates should be able to do. Wording is taken from the Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry (9701) syllabus.
10.1 Similarities and trends in the properties of the Group 2 metals and their compounds
Keep this note — free
Save your progress across every Cambridge topic. A free account remembers which topics you have covered, saves your question scores, and syncs across your phone and laptop.
- Track every topic you have finished
- Keep your practice-question scores
- No payment, no card, free forever
Already registered? Log in