Location on the periodic table.

Physical Properties.
They are harder and denser than sodium and potassium, and have higher melting points. (this is due to the presence of two valent electrons in the outermost shell of each atom, which results in stronger metallic bonding than group 1)

 The atomic and ionic radius increases as you go down the group. The ionic radii are much smaller than the atomic radii. (this is because the atom contains two electrons in its outermost shell, which are removed to form the ion. So the remaining electrons are closer to the nucleus, and the increased nuclear charge attracts the electrons closer to the nucleus, thus decreasing the size of the ion.)

Chemical Properties.
Reactions with oxygen and chlorine are vigorous. 2Mg(s) + O2(g)2MgO(s) Ca(s) + Cl2(g)CaCl2(s) All the metals except beryllium form oxides in air. Barium is so reactive, its stored in oil. All the metals except beryllium reduce water and dilute acids to hydrogen. Mg(s) + 2H+(aq)Mg(aq) + H2(g) Magnesium reacts slowly with water unless the water is boiling, but calcium reacts rapidly even at room temperature, and forms a cloudy white suspension of sparingly soluble calcium hydroxide. Calcium, strontium and barium reduce hydrogen gas when heated, forming a hydride. Ca(s) + H2(g)CaH2(s) The hot metals also reduce nitrogen gas and form nitrides 3Mg(s) + N2(g)Mg3N2(s)

 Magnesium can reduce, and burn in, carbon dioxide: 2Mg(s) + CO2(g)2MgO(s) + C(s) Calcium, strontium and barium oxides react with water to form hydroxides CaO(s) + H2O(l)Ca(OH)2(s) (Calcium hydroxide is known as slaked lime. It is sparingly soluble in water and the mildly alkaline solution is known as lime water which is used to test for the acidic gas carbon dioxide.)

Be

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium
Ca

Beryllium DOES NOT add color to the flame upon burning. The colour of the flame remains the original one or has a whitish colour as that of Magnesium. Therefore Beryllium does not have an accurate flame test colour.

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

Be

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium
Ca

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

Magnesium burns with a sparkling white flame This flame is very bright and can be blinding It is used in special Magnesium lights. 2Mg + O2 = 2MgO

Be

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium
Ca

Calcium burns with a strong brick-red 2Ca + O2 = 2CaO

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

Be

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium
Ca

Strontium burns with a redcrimson flame. 2Sr + O2 = 2SrO

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

Be

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium
Ca

Barium burns with a pale/apple green. 2Ba + O2 = 2BaO Fire cracker with Barium

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

Be

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium
Ca

Radium burns with a purple-red flame. However it is a very violent combustion, therefore a Geiger Muller tube is used. The Geiger Muller tube or Geiger counter detects the radiation to identify the element.

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame_test http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_earth_ metal http://webmineral.com/help/FlameTest.shtml http://www.rsc.org/chemsoc/visualelements/ pages/data/intro_groupii_data.html Videos from Youtube (Multiple Search Keys)

Be

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium

Reactivity Trend

Ca

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

Be

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium

Reactivity Trend

Ca

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

I N C R E A S I N G

Be

Least Reactive

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium

Reactivity Trend

Ca

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium Ra Radium

I N C R E A S I N G

Be

Least Reactive

Beryllium
Mg

Magnesium

Reactivity Trend

Ca

Calcium
Sr

Strontium
Ba Barium

I N C R E A S I N G

Most Reactive

Ra Radium

Magnesium

Calcium

Strontium

Barium

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_earth_met al http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/General_Chemistry/ Chemistries_of_Various_Elements/Group_2 http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/group2/r eacth2o.html http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_trend_ of_reactivity_of_group_2_elements Videos from Youtube (Multiple Search Keys)

Beryllium
It is used in small amounts to make copper beryllium alloy that are very strong and hard. These alloys are used to make hand tools to be used in environment where sparking is considered a fire hazard. It is also used in making small precision bearings. Alloys of nickel and beryllium are used for making components that need to withstand very high temperatures.

Magnesium
Magnesium is an element important for all living beings, as a constituent of chlorophyll responsible for photo-synthesis in plants. Magnesium, being light and strong metal, its alloy with aluminum and zinc finds many uses in construction and in manufacture of airplane.

Calcium
It is an important nutrient for us forming a major percentage of our bones and teeth. Its compounds such as limestone and gypsum are used as building materials since ancient times, and continue to be used today also directly or as raw material for making other construction material. Marble used as decorative stone in construction is also a compound of calcium. Lime is used for in many industrial processes such as steel refining, paper making, food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, toothpaste, chewing gum, and vitamins. It is also used for treating industrial waste.

Strontium
Compounds are widely used in fireworks and flares for the red color they produce when burnt. Strontium carbonate is used as a glass additive. Strontium hydroxide is used for refining beet sugar.

Barium
Barium sulfate, in well-drilling operations as a lubricating mud. A form of barium sulfate called barium meal is used in medical field to examine functioning of digestive process of patients through X-ray.

Organic Chemistry
The alkaline earth metals are known to form organometallic compunds. Of these, organomagnesium compounds, usually in the form of Grignard reagents are widely used in Organic Chemistry. Other important compounds formed are Organoberyllium, Organocalcium, Organostrontium, Organobarium and Organoradium.

Limestone Cycle
Limestone Starts off as Calcium Carbonate , when heated the calcium carbonate becomes Calcium Oxide (this is also known as solid Quicklime) + Carbon Dioxide, the Calcium Oxide then reacts with water to produce Calcium Hydroxide and then when more water is added then filtered it becomes Calcium Hydroxide Solution, C02 is then added to form Calcium Carbonate again.

1. Calcium Carbonate ---> Calcium Oxide(s) + Carbon Dioxide(g). CaCO3(s) + heat --->CaO(s) + CO2(g).
2. Calcium Oxide(s) + Water(l) ---> Calcium Hydroxide(s) 2CaO(s) + H2O(l) ---> 2Ca(OH)2(s). 3. Calcium Hydroxide(aq) + Carbon Dioxide (g) ---> Calcium Carbonate(s) + Water (l) 2Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2CO2(g) ---> 2CaCO3(s) (suspension) + 2H2O(l)

The Limestone Cycle

Q1. In the olden days, the photographers flash bulb gave out a shot of sparkling bright- white light to light up the subject. What Group 2a element could have possibly been used in the bulb?

a. b. c. d.

Barium Calcium Magnesium Strontium

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Q2. A boy lights up a firecracker made with metals from Group 2a of the periodic table. The firecracker bursts with white and green sparks. What elements could the firecracker contain? a. Magnesium and Strontium b. Strontium and Calcium c. Magnesium and Calcium d. Barium and Magnesium

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Q3. Select the correct order of reactivity. (Increasing) a. Barium, Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium, Beryllium, Radium b. Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium, Barium, Radium c. Magnesium, Beryllium, Calcium, Strontium, Barium, Radium d. Radium, Barium, Strontium, Calcium, Magnesium, Beryllium
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Q4. This element combines with other metals to form an alloy which is used to make tools to be used in an environment where sparking is considered a fire hazard. What Group 2A element is this?

a. b. c. d.

Beryllium Barium Calcium Strontium

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Q4. Determine whether True or False: 1. Limestone Starts off as Calcium Carbonate 2. Calcium Carbonate is also known as Quicklime 3. Beryllium and Magnesium can both form oxides in air a. b. c. d. True, False, True True, False, False True, True, False False, Flase, True
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