Group II Chemistry - Suggested Solutions

Topic 9.2: Group II Chemistry

ACJC/2009/P2/Q2a-c 1

ACJC/2009/P3/Q2b 2

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AJC/2009/P2/Q3a 3

CJC/2009/P3/Q1a-b 4(a) (i) KNO3 KNO2 + O2 (ii) Mg(NO3)2 MgO + 2NO2 + O2 NO2, which is produced from decomposition of magnesium nitrate, is toxic/a pollutant. OR Decomposition of magnesium nitrate occurs more readily than potassium nitrate, resulting in a loss in control of burning rate at the high temperatures reached in fireworks. OR Potassium nitrate releases more mols of O2 per mass than magnesium nitrate because of its lower Mr. Let the unknown Group II metal be M. 2 Al +
3 O2 Al2O3 2 0.0141 3 = 0.01058 2 2

(b)

No. of mols of O2 =

Mass of KNO3 = 2 0.01058 [39.1 + 14.0 + 3(16.0)] = 2.138 g Mass of MCO3 = 2.75 2.138 = 0.612 g MCO3 MO + CO2 No. of mols of CO2 = Mr(MCO3) =
0.612 4.167 10 3

100 = 4.167 10-3 24000

= 146.9

Ar(M) = 146.9 12.0 3(16.0) = 86.9 87.6 Therefore, M is strontium.

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DHS/2009/P2/Q2a-f 5 This question is about a Group II element, barium and the reactions of its compounds. (a) (b) Ba(NO3)2 BaO(s) + 2NO2(g) + O2(g)

Decomposition temperature of barium nitrate will be higher than calcium nitrate. Ba2+ has lower polarizing power, the nitrate electron cloud polarized to a lower extent, therefore easier to decompose, hence lower decomposition temp. Ca2+ higher polarizing power due to smaller size and hence nitrate anion is polarized to a larger extent.

(c)

(d) (e) (f)

BaCl2(s) + conc H2SO4(l) 2HCl(g) + BaSO4(s) HBr, SO2 or Br2 Cl2+2e Br2 + 2e 2Cl- Eo =+1.36V 2Br- Eo =+1.07V

Br is a better reducing agents than Cl. Br can reduce conc. H2SO4 to SO2 but not Cl. Ease of oxidation from X X2 increases from Cl to Br- due to the less positive Eo value. HCI/2009/P2/Q1a 6 (a) The alkaline earth metals exhibit +2 oxidation state in their compounds because they have 2 valence electrons which are lost to achieve stable octet. They do not exhibit +1 oxidation state due to the low lattice energy of the compounds formed. +3 oxidation state is also not favourable due to the very high 3rd ionization energy required to remove the third electron from the inner quantum shell.

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HCI/2009/P3/Q3b 7 (b) Mg(OH)2 is basic, and reacts only with acids: Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HCl (aq) MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l) Be(OH)2 is amphoteric, and reacts with both acids and bases: Be(OH)2(s) + 2HCl (aq) BeCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l) Be(OH)2(s) + 2NaOH(aq) Na2Be(OH)4(aq) IJC/2009/P3/Q1c 8 (c)

MI/2009/P2/Q3 (a) Size of Sr2+ is smaller than that of Ba2+, Charge density of Sr2+ is greater than that of Ba2+, [ ]

[ ]

Sr2+ is better able to distort the electron cloud of CO32-,

weakening the C-O bond, making it easier to decompose SrCO3.

[ ] [ ] ;

Decomposition temperature of SrCO3 is lower than that of BaCO3.

MJC/2009/P3/Q2c 10 (iii) 5Ba(IO3)2

Ba5(IO6)2 + 4I2 + 9O2

Ionic size hence charge density hence polarising power of of Ca2+ > Ba2+ Hence, Ca2+ has greater ability to distort the anion IO3- charge/electron cloud Hence, thermal stability of Ca(IO3)2 > Ba(IO3)2.

[3]

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PJC/2009/P2/Q1d 11

RI/2009/P2/Q3c 12 (c)(i) CaCO3 CaO + CO2 Amt of CaO = 1.00/100.1 x 56.1 = 0.560 g

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Group II Chemistry - Suggested Solutions (c)(ii) Mass/ g 1.00

Decomposition curve of CaCO3 Decomposition curve of MgCO3

0 (c)(iii) From Data Booklet ion Ionic radius Mg2+ 0.065 Ca2+ 0.099

time

The thermal stability depends on the charge density of the cation. The greater the charge density, the thermally less stable the carbonate. Since charge density and hence polarsing power of Mg2+ is higher than that of Ca2+, the distortion of the electron cloud of the carbonate anion, thus weakening effect of the carbonoxygen bonds in the magnesium carbonate occurs to a greater extent. Hence MgCO3 is more unstable than CaCO3 and should decompose to MgO and CO2 at a faster rate (since its decomposition temperature is lower than that of CaCO3.) The mass of MgO obtained is 0.478 g, lower than x (i.e. 0.560 g) SAJC/2009/P3/Q4b 13 (i) 2Ba(NO3)2 (ii)

2BaO + 4NO2 + O2

The temperature of the thermal decomposition increases down the group. This is because down the group, the size of the cations increase hence polarizing power of cations decrease ability of cations to distort the large anion decrease nitrates are more stable to heat

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(iii)

L.E is proportionate to ionic charge but inversely proportionate to ionic radius or L.E. q+q r+ + r [5]

- Ionic size of nitrate ion bigger than that of chloride - Hence, LE for barium nitrate is SMALLER than barium chloride. SRJC/2009/P3/Q2a,b 14 (ai) MgO has a giant ionic lattice structure large amount of energy is needed to overcome the strong ionic bonds OR electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions. has a high boiling point P 4O 6 has a simple molecular structure small amount of energy is needed to overcome the weak intermolecular Van der Waals forces of attraction has a low boiling point Al2O3 (s) + 6HCl (aq) 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O (l) {no need state symbol} { m species, m for coefficient} SO2 (g) + 2NaOH (aq) Na2SO3 (aq) + H2O (l) {no need state symbol} { m species, m for coefficient} Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 3H2O(l) 2Na[Al(OH)4] (aq) {no need state symbol} { m species, m for coefficient} Al2O3 behaves as an amphoteric oxide or Al2O3 is able to react with both acid and base Mg(NO3)2(s) MgO(s) + 2NO2 (g)+ O2 (g) {no need state symbol} { m species, m for coefficient} Down the group, Ionic radius of cation: Mg2+ < Sr2+. Charge density of cation: Mg2+ >Sr2+ / decreases Polarising power of cation: Mg2+ > Sr2+ / decreases or Polarising effect on NO3- anion: Mg2+ > Sr2+ / decreases Mg(NO3)2 is less stable than Sr(NO3)2, hence it decomposes at a lower temperature

(b)

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Thermal stability of Group II nitrates increases down the group; hence barium nitrate would decompose at a higher temperature compared to strontium nitrate. TJC/2009/P3/Q4a 15 (a) (i)

MgO (s) + 2HNO3 (aq) Mg(NO3)2 (aq) + H2O (l) 0.500 = 0.0124 mol Amount of MgO = 24.3 + 16.0
50 0.100 = 0.00500 mol (limiting reagent) 1000 0.005 Amount of Mg(NO3)2 produced = = 0.00250 mol 2

Amount of HNO3 =

(ii) (iii)

Mg(OH)2 + 2NH4NO3 Mg(NO3)2 + 2NH3 + 2H2O Amount of Mg(NO3)2 =

1. 5 = 0.0101 mol 24.3 + 28.0 + 96.0

Volume of NH3 produced = 0.0101 2 24 = 0.485 dm3

2Mg(NO3)2 2MgO + 4NO2 + O2 Brown gas of NO2 will be observed. (iv) Ba(NO3)2 is more thermally stable than Mg(NO3)2, hence it will not decompose at 330C. Ba2+ is less polarizing / lower charge density than Mg2+ as it has a larger size, hence the NO3- is polarised to a smaller extent in Ba(NO3)2.

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TPJC/2009/P3/Q2 16

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YJC/2009/P2/Q2 17

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