chapter 8

Question 1

what are group 2 metals

Answer 1

• they are sometimes called alkaline earth metals
• they are reactive and do not occur in their elemental form naturally

Question 2

explain the electron configuration of group 2 metals

Answer 2

• each group 2 element has 2 outer shell electrons
• when it reacts it loses those electrons
• they are called reducing elements because they will cause the other species to gain the 2 electrons

Question 3

what happens when a group 2 metal reacts with oxygen

Answer 3

• they will form a metal oxide
• its a Redox reaction

Question 4

what happens when the alkaline earth metals react with water

Answer 4

• they will form an alkaline hydroxide and hydrogen gas
• the reactivity increases as you go up the group

Question 5

what happens when group 2 metals react with dilute acid

Answer 5

• neutralisation reaction
• forms a salt and hydrogen gas

Question 6

why does the reactivity increase going down group 2

Answer 6

• the formation of 2+ ions require two ionisation energies
• the ionisation energies decrease going down the group
• the atomic radius increases
• inner shell shielding increases
• nuclear attraction decreases