Group II oxides,

carbonates,

sulphates and
G R O U P M E M B E R S : T O N AYA B R A C K E T T, D ’ J A U N A E
nitrates
H A RT, C A R E S I A R E I D , K R I S TA N W R I G H T
Explaining the variation in the
solubility of the sulphates in
terms of lattice and hydration
energies
In chemistry, hydration energy (also hydration enthalpy) is the amount of energy released
when one mole of ions undergoes hydration. Its values are always negative.
As you go down a Group, the energy needed to break up the lattice falls as the positive
ions get bigger. Again as the positive ions get bigger, the energy released as the ions bond
to water molecules (their hydration enthalpies) falls as well. Bigger ions aren't so strongly
attracted to the water molecules.
 Cont.
Since the hydration enthalpies decreases down the
group, solubility will decrease as found for alkaline
earth metal carbonates and sulphates. The
assumption is made that the more endothermic (or
less exothermic) the enthalpy of solution is, the less
soluble the compound.
So sulphates and carbonates become less soluble as
you go down the Group; hydroxides become more
soluble.
Energy has to be supplied to break up the lattice of
ions, and energy is released when these ions form
bonds with water molecules. The size of the lattice
dissociation enthalpy depends on the charges on the
ions, and the distances between their centers. All of
the Group II sulfates consist of 2+ ions attracting 2-
ions, and so the only thing that matters is the distance
between the ion centres. The bigger the ions, the more
distance there is between their centres, and the weaker
the forces holding them together.
 Explaining the variation in the
thermal decomposition of the
carbonates and nitrates
The thermal stability increases as you go down
Group 2. This is because the Group 2 ion has All the carbonates in this Group undergo thermal
lower charge density, and thus distorts the decomposition to give the metal oxide and carbon
carbonate ion less. The less distorted the dioxide gas. Thermal decomposition is the term given
carbonate ion is, the more stable it is, and so a to splitting up a compound by heating it. All of these
higher temperature is required to decompose the carbonates are white solids, and the oxides that are
carbonate. produced are also white solids.
If "X" represents any one of the elements:
As you go down the Group, the XCO3(s)XO(s) + CO2(g)
carbonates have to be heated more
strongly before they will
decompose. The carbonates
become more stable to heat as you
go down the Group.
 cont
All the nitrates in this Group undergo thermal decomposition to
give the metal oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.
The nitrates are white solids, and the oxides produced are also
white solids. Brown nitrogen dioxide gas is given off together
with oxygen. Magnesium and calcium nitrates normally have
water of crystallisation, and the solid may dissolve in its own
water of crystallisation to make a colourless solution before it
starts to decompose. Again, if "X" represents any one of the elements:

2X(NO3)2(s)2XO(s) + 4NO2(g)+ O2(g)

As you go down the Group, the nitrates also have
to be heated more strongly before they will
decompose. The nitrates also become more stable
to heat as you go down the Group.
Di sc ussi ng t he uses of
some of t he compounds
of magnes ium and
cal c i um - l i m i ted to the
us e o f m agnesium oxide,
cal c i um oxi de , calcium
hy droxi de and calciu m
carbonat e
Calcium Oxide - Calcium oxide is widely used in
industry, e.g., in making porcelain and glass; in
purifying sugar; in preparing bleaching powder,
calcium carbide, and calcium cyanamide; in water
softeners; and in mortars and cements. In agriculture,
it is used for treating acidic soils (liming).
It enables the acidity of soil to be to neutralized by
adjusting pH. It has a huge amount of usage for
insecticides. In laboratories, lime is utilized for
precipitation reaction, dehydration, etc. as a reagent.
 Magnesium Oxide

CONT Is used as refractory linings in furnaces

.. because of its high melting point and low
reactivity
Calcium Carbonate

Is used as limestone blocks for buildings and

removing Silicon dioxide as slag in the blast
furnace for the extraction of iron. It is also
used to make oxide for cement. Calcium Hydroxide.

Used to neutralize acidic soils.

It can also be used to make mortar by
mixing it with water and sand, to make
bleaching powder and lime water.
Vi d e o s
Past Paper Questions
Past Paper Questions
Any questions?