Raffles Institution (Junior College)

H2 Chemistry 2010/11
Tutorial 22 Group II Chemistry
Trends in Physical and Chemical Properties
1.
Explain each of the following observations in terms of structure and bonding:
(a)
The alkaline earth metals (beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium) all have a fixed
oxidation number in their compounds.
[2]
o
(b)
Beryllium chloride (boiling point 547 C) is much more volatile than magnesium chloride (boiling point
o
1418 C).
[4]
(c) Beryllium oxide is amphoteric, but the oxides of all the other alkali earth metals are basic.
[3]
2.

When aqueous MgCl2 is allowed to evaporate to dryness, a basic salt, Mg(OH)Cl is formed.
(a)
Write the balanced chemical equation for the formation of MgCl2 from its elements.
[1]
(b)
Write the equation for the formation of its basic salt.
[1]
(c)
When the basic salt is heated strongly in an evaporating dish, the residue consists only of MgO and
not MgCl2. Suggest why this is so.
[3]

Reactions with Oxygen and Water

3.
(a)
Describe the observations expected when a piece each of magnesium, calcium and barium are added
separately, with stirring to cold water and write balanced equation(s) for any reaction.
[6]
(b)
Magnesium reacts with nitrogen only at a very high temperature, producing a yellow solid D. D
contains 72 % of magnesium by mass.
(i)
Suggest why a high temperature is required for this reaction.
(ii)
Calculate the empirical formula of D.
[3]
(c)
When water is added to the yellow solid D, a white suspension forms and ammonia is liberated.
Identify the white suspension. Write an equation for the action of water on D.
[2]
(d)
The reaction of magnesium with nitrogen was used by Ramsay in obtaining the noble gases from the
air. Explain how this works.
[1]
Trends in Thermal Stability of Nitrates and Carbonates
4.
Magnesium nitrate and barium nitrate decompose similarly on heating.
(a)
Write a balanced equation for the decomposition of magnesium nitrate.
[1]
(b) There is a noticeable difference in the temperature for decomposition of these two nitrates. Which of
these nitrates decomposes at a lower temperature? Explain your answer.
[4]
(c)
Explain how you would expect the lattice energies of the substances in each of these pairs to differ:
(i)
magnesium nitrate and barium nitrate
(ii) magnesium nitrate and the residue formed after its thermal decomposition.
[4]
5.

(a)
(b)

What would you expect to see when anhydrous calcium nitrate is heated?
[2]
(i)
When a 1.01 g sample of potassium nitrate is heated above its melting point, a colourless and
odourless gas is evolved and the mass of the sample decreases by 0.16 g. Suggest an identity
for the resulting solid, and hence construct an equation for the decomposition.
[2]
(ii)
Unlike all other Group I nitrates, lithium nitrate decomposes on heating in the same way as
group II nitrates. Suggest a reason for the difference in behaviour, and give an equation for its
decomposition.
[4]