STUDY PACK : 8 B

2. The Core Principles of Chemistry

GROUPS 1 & 2
First Edition Jan 2006
Second Edition Jun 2009
Third Edition Jun 2011
Fourth Edition Jun 2021 (Revised New Syllabus)

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GROUP 1 – ALKALINE METALS

Atomic
Name Symbol Electronic Configuration
No.
Lithium Li 3
Sodium Na 11
Potassium K 19

GROUP 2 – ALKALINE EARTH METALS

Atomic
Name Symbol Electronic Configuration
No.
Beryllium Be 4
Magnesium Mg 12
Calcium Ca 20
Strontium Sr 38
Barium Ba 56

1. State why both group 1 & 2 are called ‘s’-block elements?

The outermost electron of group 1 & 2 elements are filled in the ‘s’ orbital. The
outermost electronic configuration for group 1 is ns1 & group 2 is ns2 (n=period umber)

2. Explain why group 1 & 2 elements are classified as metals?

Because their bonding in solid state is metallic, forming giant metallic lattices. The
metallic bond is formed by the element with low ionization energies. They form cations,
each atom contributing their outermost electrons to form a sea of delocalized electrons,
which binds the cations.

3. Compare the below properties of group 1 & 2 across the period & down the group.

➢ The Strength of the metallic bond:-

The strength of the metallic bond will be greater across the period due to the increased
number of delocalized electrons & smaller cation radius. The strength of the metallic
bond of group 2 elements will be greater than group 1.

Down the group the strength of the metallic bond decreases due to the increase in size
of the cation radius which results in less attraction towards the electrons.

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 ➢ Electrical conductivity :-

The delocalized electrons can move across an electric potential as they are mobile.
Electric conductivity increases across the period due to the increased number of
delocalized electrons. Down the group the conductivity increases due to decreased
nuclear attraction.

➢ Melting points:-

Weaker the metallic bond lower will be the melting point. Down the group as the metallic
bond becomes weaker the melting point will decrease.
Group 2 metal has a higher melting point than group 1 due to the increase in metallic bond
strength.

4. State the characteristic physical properties of group 1 & 2 elements

1. Reactive metals, therefore tarnish easily in air. Alkali earth metals (group 2) are less
reactive than alkali metals (group 1) & more reactive than transition metals.

2. Group 2 metals have low-density compared to transition metals but do not float on
water as group 1 metals.

3. Group 1 form uni positive ions, exhibiting the valency of +1 in all compounds. Group 2
form di positive ions, exhibiting the valency of +2 in all compounds.

4. Group 2 metals are harder compared to group 1 metals due to stronger metallic bond.

5. They conduct electricity due to the mobile sea of delocalized electrons. Conductivity
of group 2 is greater compared to group 1 due to increased number of delocalized
electrons.

5. Explain the trend in the first ionization energy down group 1 & 2

The first ionization energy decreases down the group due to decrease in effective
nuclear attraction, even though the nuclear charge increase down the group the atomic
radius & the shielding effect increases due to the increase number of shells. Due to
these factors the nuclear attraction towards outer most electron decreases. Therefore
the electrons are easily removed thus 1st ionization energy decreases down the group.

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Chemical Properties of Group 1 elements

1. Reactions with Oxygen: -

All group 1 metals reacts with O2 at room temperature when exposed to air, hence
tarnishes due to oxidation. They react with O2 to form the white ionic oxides. This is the
reason why group 1 metals except ‘Li’ are stored under paraffin oil.

Group 1 metals are never heated as its reacts violently. Oxides of reactive metals such as
‘K’ further reacts with oxygen resulting peroxides & super oxides.

The reactivity increases down the group due to less effective nuclear attraction, which
results in easy ionization of the metal to its ion as it reacts.
All the oxides of group 1 are basic thus dissolves in water to form alkalis.

2. Reactions with water:-

All group 1 elements react vigorously with H2O resulting an alkali solution and hydrogen
gas.

Observation : The metal floats, fizzes due to the formation of hydrogen gas. The
metal gradually dissolves. The solution turns red litmus blue.

3. Reactions with Chlorine:-

• All elements when heated reacts with Cl2 to form chlorides.

• All chlorides of group 1 are ionic.
• Reaction with Cl2 is highly exothermic.

All chlorides of group 1 dissolve in H2O, resulting hydrated solutions.

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Chemical Properties of Group 2 elements

4. Reactions with Oxygen: -

• All group 2 metals react with O2 at room temperature except for Be, & Mg which
requires heating. They react with O2 to form the white ionic oxides.

When heated with excess O2, only Sr & Ba form peroxides

Barium is stored under oil as its highly reactive when exposed to air. The reactivity
increases down the group to less effective nuclear attraction, which results in easy
ionization of the metal to its ion as it reacts.
All the oxides of group 2 are basic except of ‘Be’ which is Amphoteric.

5. Reactions with water:-

• All group elements react with H2O except for ‘Be’.

• ’Be’ does not react with H2O.
• ‘Mg’ almost shows no reaction with cold water. But if left for some time it reacts
very slowly. The reaction is speeded if warm water is used. It produce an alkaline
suspension of Mg(OH)2 & H2 gas.

If ‘Mg’ is reacted with steam, a much more vigorous reaction occurs resulting MgO & H2
gas

Ca, Sr & Ba react rapidly with cold water to produce alkaline solutions of the metal
hydroxide & bubbles of ‘H’ gas.

Observation: The metal sinks, bubbles of a gas. The metal gradually dissolves. The
solution turns red litmus blue.

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6. Reactions with Chlorine:-

• All elements react with Cl2, when heated to form chlorides.

• All chlorides are ionic except for BeCl2 when is covalent.
• Reaction with Cl2 is highly exothermic.

Apart from BeCl2 other dissolve in H2O. They are ionic, resulting hydrated solutions.

7. Reaction of group 1 & 2 metal oxides with water:-

• Group 1 & 2 oxides and hydroxides are bases. They react with water to form
alkalis, which are colourless solutions.
• BeO does not react with water.
• All monoxides apart from BeO react with water at room temperature to produce
hydroxides.

Group 1 :

Group 2 :

• MgO with water is a very slow & incomplete reaction resulting a slightly alkaline
suspension of Mg (OH)2
• CaO (quick lime) react exothermically to produce limewater [Ca (OH) 2] with is an
alkaline solution.

SrO & BaO react with H2O to form alkaline solution of the hydroxide.

• Peroxides of group 2 (Sr, Ba) reacts resulting the hydroxide & hydrogen peroxide.

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8. Reaction of group 1 & 2 metal oxides with dilute acids:-

The basic oxides react with dilute acids to form salts & water. This is classified as
neutalisation reaction. White solids turns to colourless solution and the reactions are
exothermic.

9. Reactions of group 1 & 2 metal hydroxides with dilute acids:-

The group 2 metal hydroxides reacts with acids in the same way us the oxides to form
salts & water. This is classified as neutalisation and the reactions are exothermic.

Solubility

1. State the trends in solubility of hydroxides down the group II elements

2. State the trends in solubility of sulfates down the group II elements

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3. Describe the observations of the reactions between solutions containing Ca, Sr & Ba ions with a
solution containing sulfate ions. Explain why the reaction of ‘Ba’ with sulphuric acid stops very fast.

When a solution containing SO42- ions (Na2SO4/H2SO4) is added to a solution contain Ca2+,
Sr2+ & Ba2+, white precipitate of insoluble sulfate is observed.

BaSO4 is highly insoluble. Therefore when ‘Ba’ is reacted with dilute H2SO4, the initial
reaction causes a layer of insoluble BaSO4 to form on the surface of the ‘Ba’ metal. This
insoluble layer prevents further H2SO4 from reacting the unreacted ‘Ba’ the reaction
stops very fast.

Thermal Stability

1. Explain the term ‘Thermal stability’

If a compound can be heated to very high temperature without causing it to undergo any
change, then the compound is said to be thermally stable. Higher the temperature
required for the decomposition greater thermal stability & vice versa. Therefore, the
thermal stability depends on the decomposition temperature of compounds.

2. Explain the concept of thermal stability of group 1 & 2 nitrates & carbonates based on
polarizing power of the cation.

Thermal stability depends on the polarizing power of the cation, which depends on the
charge/size ratio (charge density) the larger the charge smaller the size, higher the
charge density which results in high polarizer power. Such cation polarizes the anion
strongly result co-valent character. Such molecules are easily decomposed than those
with less polarizing power as they favor ionic characters. (Ionic compounds are thermally
stable compound to co-valent compounds).

‘Li’ & group 2 cations have a relatively high polarizing power than rest of group 1 elements
due to their smaller size & higher charge. ‘Li’ though with +1 charge, being very small also
Possess a relatively high charge density. This means ‘Li’ & group 2 cations will polarize
better the anion resulting covalent character hence less thermally stable.

Both group 1 & 2, the ease of decomposition decreases down the group due to low
polarizing power. This is due to increase ionic radii down the group, which results in low
charge density. Therefore, the thermal stability increases down the group due to less
polarizing power of the cation, which results in ionic character.

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 3. Thermal stability of group 1 nitrates:-

All groups I nitrates decompose when strongly heated. Producing colourless gas of O 2 &
white residue of the metal nitrite. Expect for Li(NO3)2, which produce Li2O, brown gas of
NO2 & O2.

The anomalous behaviour of LiNO3 is due to the larger charge density of ‘Li’ which
polarize the O-N bond in the NO3- ion. The other group 1 cations are large. Therefore on
heating their nitrates does not decompose. But very strong heating causes them to melt
resulting the molten nitrate & O2 gas.

4. Thermal stability of group 2 nitrates:-

Group 2 nitrates thermally decompose same as LiNO3 due to its higher polarizing power
than group I.
All these nitrates when heated results brown gas of & NO2, O2 gas & the white residue of
the metal oxide.

All group 2 nitrates are thermally unstable.

• Mg (NO3) 2 decomposes at very low heating, white Ba(NO3)2 requires high

temperature.

• The thermal stability of group 2 nitrates increases down the group with
increase atomic number due to polarizing power of the cation decreases
resulting ionic character.

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 5. Thermal stability of group 1 carbonates:-

All group I carbonates are thermally stable even at very high temperature except for
Li2CO3

Li2CO3 decomposes on heating result CO2 gas white residue of Li2O.

This is because Li+ is small hence possess high polarizing power & polarizes the O-C bond
in the CO32- ion.

6. Thermal stability of group 2 carbonates: -

All carbonates of group 2 decompose at very little heat except for BaCO3, which needs
high temperature to produce white residue of metal oxide & CO2.

BeCO3 is unstable & does not exist at room temperature.

Therefore, all group 2 carbonates are thermally unstable, but thermal stability increases
down the group as the atomic radius increase.

7. Describe an experiment to study the thermal decomposition of group 1 & 2 nitrates &
carbonates

Place same amount (same moles) of each carbonate/each nitrate in a series of combustion
tubes.
Fix a delivery tube to the hard glass tube & set up the following apparatus.

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 • Mark the test tube on the apparatus used to collect the gas as shown.
• As the carbonate/nitrate decompose gases will be evolved which will be collected
by the down ward displacement of H2O.
• Note the time taken for the gas evolved to reach the mark on the test tube in the
water bath.
• Take the same amount of moles of remaining carbonate/nitrate the repeat the
experiment & record the time taken for the gas to reach the mark.

Observations:

Carbonates & nitrates which are easily decomposed fills the mark at lesser time, than the
one which are difficult to decompose.

Accuracy:

To ensure highest accuracy same conditions should be given for all experiments. The
Bunsen flame should be the same for all reactions. Also, the distance between the burner
& the hard glass tube should be kept constant. Also, the thickness of the hard glass tube
should be the same ensure equal heat absorption.

The Flame Test.

1. Explain why flame test is used to identify group 1 & 2 cations?

Cation of group 1 & 2 cannot be identified by normal precipitation methods. As all

compounds of group 2 elements & most of compounds of group 2 elements are soluble in
H2O. Apart from Be & Mg other group 1 & 2 elements produces colours in the flame test.

2. Describe how you should carry out a flame test?

Take a ‘pt’ or nichrome wire & clean it by dipping the wire in conc. HCl & holding it on to
the blue flame (hottest part) of the Bunsen burner. If impurities present it will impart a
colour. Repeat the treatment until the colour disappears.

Add few drops of conc. HCl to the solid sample, mix till it dissolves. Dip the wire in to the
sample so that few crystals adhere to the wire. Place the wire in the Bunsen set on non-
Luminous flame. Note the colour imparted by the salt to the flame.

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 3. Explain the below.

i. Why it is important to clean the wire before the flame test?

ii. Why it is necessary to hold the sample to the non-luminous flame?

iii. Why do we need to dip the wire in conc. HCl & then in the sample?

This is to convert any metal compound to its chloride salt, as chlorides are more
volatile than other salts so are more likely to produce better results.

4. Write the flame colours of the below cations.

Li+ Red Be2+ no colour

Na+ Yellow / Orange Mg2+ no colour

K+ Lilac Ca2+ Brick red

Rb+ Red / Purple Sr2+ Crimson red

Cs+ Blue / Violet Ba2+ Apple green

5. Describe how the flame colours arise in the flame test.

The flame colours arise from electronic transitions within the cation. The heat energy
promotes the electrons in outer orbital to an excited state (higher energy level) which is
not stable. As a result, the electrons drop back to the ground state (its original energy
level) the energy absorbed in the promotion will be given off when drops back in the form
of radiation. If the frequency of radiation falls with in the visible range of the spectrum
a colour can be observed.

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The colours from different elements arise due to different transitions. As the gaps
between energy levels different from one element to the other. The intensity of the
colour depends on the concentration of the elements.

6. Explain why some cations of group 2 does not show any colour in the flame test?

7. Explain the below observation.

When a flame test was carried out by a student the flame colour was observed & after some
time the colour disappeared. But there was sample in the platinum wire.

8. State the possible problems associated with the flame test.

▪ Many compounds are not 100% pure and may contain sodium as an impurity,
thus the flame colour of sodium may hinder other colours.

▪ Describing colours with words is subjective as people have different levels

of colour vision.

NOTE : Please refer unit 3 experimental chemistry study pack for the following sections of
this unit. Students are strictly advised to study the below sections from the unit 3
study pack for the unit 2 examination.

Sections of his chapter covered in unit 3:

▪ Tests for the following ions and gases, CO32-, HCO3-,SO42-, NH4+, CO2,O2 & NO2
▪ Able to calculate the concentrations in moldm-3 & gdm-3 by simple acid-base titrations
using methyl orange & phenolphthalein indicators.
▪ Calculation of uncertainty and overall uncertainty and how to minimize it.
▪ Solubility of Ca(OH)2 by titration.
▪ Determination of moles of water of crystallization by titration.

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