Ministry of Education

Secondary Engagement Program

Grade 10
Chemistry
Week 3 Lesson 1
Topic: Periodic Table and Periodicity

Sub-topic: Trends of Group II Elements – Physical Properties

Objectives: After reading and looking at related diagrams students will explain the
trends in the physical properties of Group II elements correctly.

Content: Definition of Terms

Atomic radius: The atomic radius is a measure of the size of an atom.

Ionisation energy:The first ionisation energy is the energy needed to remove one electron
from an atom in the gas phase. The ionisation energy is different for each
element. We can also define second, third, fourth, etc. ionisation energies.
These are the energies needed to remove the second, third, or fourth
electron respectively.

Electron affinity: Electron affinity can be thought of as how much an element wants
electrons.

Electronegativity: Electronegativity is the tendency of atoms to attract electrons. The

electronegativity of the elements starts from about 0.7 (Francium (Fr)) and
goes up to 4 (Fluorine (F))
Group 2 Elements
The elements in group 2 are also known as the Alkali Earth Metals.
General trends of group 2 elements are listed below:
 they have two electrons on the outermost shell
 they are very reactive
 they form white ionic compounds
 their reactivity increases going down the group
 they form metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas when reacted
with water
 they form oxides when reacted with oxygen
 they form metal salts and hydrogen gas when reacted with
acids
Trends in the Physical Properties of Group II Metals

Atomic Radius

As you go down the group the atomic radius increases. This is because you are increasing the
number electron orbitals.
First Ionisation Energies

Ionisation energies decrease down the group. This is because each element down group 2 has an
extra electron shell, so the outer shell electrons are further away from the nucleus which ultimately
means a reduced nuclear attraction (the attraction between the positive nucleus and negative
electrons). As well as this reduced attraction we now have the inner shells shielding the outer
electrons from the nuclear pull. These two factors override the fact that atomic number (proton
number) is increasing and as such it becomes easier to remove an electron as you go down the group.

Reactivity

The reactivity of the group 2 elements increase as you go down the group. This is because, as
explained previously, it is much easier to remove an outer shell electron as you go further down
the group (lower ionisation energies).

Melting Points

Melting points generally decrease down the group this is because they are all metals and hence
have metallic bonding which consists of positive metal ions surrounded by a sea of delocalised
electrons. As the atom gets larger the delocalised electrons are further away from the positive
nucleus which means it takes much less energy to break this metallic bonding attraction.

References
1. http://www.scienceskool.co.uk/group-2-metals.html
2. https://www.ausetute.com.au/