CHAPTER 1

s-BLOCK ELEMENTS
(GROUP I AND II)
 OBJECTIVE
• Group I (Na  Cs) :
 physical & chemical properties
 usages

• Group II (Mg  Ba) :

 physical & chemical properties
 usages
 Introduction
Group

4
Period

7
Classification of the Elements
into the s, p, d and f Blocks
 Periodic Table
• Elements are placed in order of their
atomic number / proton number
• Horizontal rows = periods
• Vertical columns = groups
• DIVIDED TO
s-block = group 1, 2 & 18 (He only)
p-block = group 13 to 18 (except He)
d-block = group 3 to 12
(transition elements)
 s-Block Elements
• Groups 1 and 2 ⇒ s-block metals
• Group 1 elements: 1e- in their outer shell
• Group 2 elements: 2e- in their outer shell
• These outer electrons are located in s-
orbital (s sub-shell), ns1 & ns2
• Chemistry of these metals is dominated
by the loss of s electrons to form a
cation.
 Electronic Configuration of
Group I (ns1, n ≥ 2)
Element Symbol Abbreviated Electron
Configuration
lithium Li [He]2s1
sodium Na [Ne]3s1
potassium K [Ar]4s1
rubidium Rb [Kr]5s1
cesium Cs [Xe]6s1
francium Fr [Rn]7s1
 Electronic Configuration of
Group II (ns , n ≥ 2)
2

Element Symbol Abbreviated Electron

Configuration
beryllium Be [He]2s2
magnesium Mg [Ne]3s2
calcium Ca [Ar]4s2
strontium Sr [Kr]5s2
barium Ba [Xe]6s2
radium Ra [Rn]7s2
 Characteristic of Group I
(Alkali Metals)
 Silvery-coloured metal.
 Soft, easy to cut by knife.
 Highly reactive metals.
 React with water to form alkaline
solution.
 Have 1e- in outer shell that is easily
given off.
 Form oxidation state of +1 cation
 Characteristic of Group II
(Alkaline-Earth Metals)
 2e- in the outer shell
 Usually form M2+ ions in compounds
(most compounds are ionic)
 Very reactive & are powerful reducing
agents
 Have the oxidation state of +2
 The oxides are all basic (except
beryllium oxide, which is amphoteric)
 Compared To Group I
Elements:
Group II elements are
 Harder, with higher melting point &
electrical conductivity
 less reactive as 2e- must be removed to
form M2+ ions
 The metallic bonds of Group II elements
are stronger as having 2 valence e- for
metallic bonding
 Physical Trends when go
down Group I and II
 Melting point (mp) & boiling point
(bp) decreases
 Atomic radius increases
 Ionic radius increases
 First ionization energy decreases
 As a reducing agent increases
 Density increases
 1. Atomic Radii
Atomic radius are determined by:
1. Nuclear charge
- attraction between the nucleus and the
outer shell e-
2. Screening/shielding effect
- enlarge the atomic radius by mutual
repulsion between the inner shells e- and
the outer shell e-
3. Number of orbital / electronic shells
1. Atomic Radii
 Size of atom decreases when
going across a period
The > no. of proton, the nucleus charge ↑
but the shielding effect remains constant.

Effective Nuclear Charge, Z* increase.

Each added electron feels a greater &

greater +ve charge.

e− clouds are pulled closer to the nucleus.

Atomic radius decreases.

 Size of atom increases when go
down Group I and II
nuclear charge & screening effect increase
due to the increase in the number
of protons & electrons

increase in the screening effect is greater

than the increase in the nuclear charge due
to the increase in number of electronic shells

The attraction between the nucleus & the

electron cloud decreases. ∴ Atomic radius ↑
 2. Ionic Radius
• Ionic radius of cations & anions
decreases when going across a period
• For isoelectronic cations, the more
positive the ionic charge, the smaller
the ionic radius.
• For isoelectronic anions, the more
negative charge, the larger the ionic
radius.
• Cation is always smaller than atom
from which it is formed.
• Anion is always larger than atom from
which it is formed.
Comparison of Atomic Radii
with Ionic Radii
3. Melting Point & Boiling Point
Generally: depends on STRUCTURE &
BONDING TYPE
• When going down Group 1, 2 & 3, the
mp / bp decreases due to the increase in
atomic radius.
• When going down group 4, the mp / bp
decreases due to the changes of giant
molecular structures with strong covalent
bonds (carbon, silicon & germanium) to
metallic structures with metallic bonds
(stanum & plumbum).
3. Melting Point & Boiling Point
• When going down Group 15, the mp / bp
increases due to the changes of simple
molecules (N2 & P4) to metal (As & Sb).
• When going down Group 16, 17 & 18, the
mp / bp increases due to the increase of
the molecules size and the strength of
the intermolecular bond.
 MP and BP
(when across a period)
Period 3 Elements
 Structure & Bonding Type of
Elements in Period 3:
Element Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar

Crystal Metallic Giant Simple

structure molecular molecular
Bonding Metallic Covalent Van der
Waals
 Explaination: the trend of MP
and BP across a Period 3
Na, Mg and Al
• Metals with metallic bonding.
• Thus, relatively high mp and bp.
• Going from Na to Al,
 No. of delocalize e- increases
 Metallic bond stronger
 More heat energy needed
 Bp & mp increase in order of :
Na < Mg < Al
 Silicon
• Has a giant covalent
structure with strong
covalent bond
• More energy needed to
break the bond
Silicon
• Relatively high mp and bp

Phosphorus, Sulphur, Chlorine, Argon

• Van der Waals attraction.
• Mp and bp will be lower than those 1st
four elements (Na, Mg, Al and Si).
• Phosphorus exists as P4 molecules
• Sulphur exists as S8 molecules
• Chlorine exists as Cl2 molecules
• Argon exists as individual Ar atoms
• The strength of the Van der Waals forces
decreases as the size of the molecule
decreases
• So the mp and bp decrease in the order
S8 > P4 > Cl2 > Ar
 4. Ionization Energy (IE)
1st IE = min energy, E (kJ/mol) required to
remove an e- from a gaseous atom
to form 1 mol of gaseous ions under
standard condition.

1st IE: X(g) → X+(g) + e-

2nd IE: X+(g) → X2+ (g) + e-
3rd IE: X2+ (g) → X3+ (g) + e-

Generally,
e- easier to be removed = ↓ IE
e- difficult to be removed = ↑ IE
General Trend in First Ionization Energies
Increasing 1st IE High Energy

Increasing 1st IE
Low
Energy
 IE when go down a group
Atomic radius increases down the group

Outer e- further from the nucleus

Outer e- become less strongly attracted

by the nucleus

Outer e- easier to be removed

IE decreases when go down a group

 IE when across a period
When across period, nucleus charge increases

Atomic radius decreases

Outer e- closer to the nucleus and more

strongly attracted

e- more difficult to be removed

Thus, IE increases when across period

 Anomalous Cases:
IE when across a period

• 2 exception:
Boron and Oxygen has relatively lower
IE compared to general trend.
 1st exception:
Why B has lower IE than Be?

• Boron = 1 e- being lost from the 2p

subshell which is further from the nucleus
than 2s subshell.
• Thus, easier to be removed, IE decreases.
 2nd exception:
Why O has lower IE than N?

• The rather low IE for O is due to

increased repulsion between the 2e-
occupying the same 2p orbital.
• So 1e- is more easily lost.
 5. Reducing Strength
When going down Group I & II, atomic
radius increases as extra shell is added

The valence e- are located further

away from the nucleus.

The valence e- are easily to be discarded

Metals become increasingly electropositive &

easily to form positively charged ions by losing e-

Reducing strengths increase

Chemical Properties of Group I
and II Elements
1. Reactivity trend when go down group I
and II.
2. Reaction with oxygen (O2) to form oxide
compound.
3. Reaction with water (H2O) to form
hydroxide compound.
4. Reaction with halogen (X2) to form halide
salt.
 Reactivity of Group I
Elements

Reactivity of Group I :
• Tendency of Group I elements to lose
1e- forming a singly positive charge
ions

Example: Na  Na+ + 1 e-
 Reactivity of Group II
Elements
Reactivity of Group II :
• Tendency of Group II elements to lose
2e- forming a doubly positive charge
ions

Example: Mg  Mg2+ + 2 e-
Trend of Reactivity when go
down Group I and II
Atomic radius increases as
extra shell is added

Outer e- become further from the

positive nuclear charge

Attraction becomes weaker

Thus, outer e- easier to be removed

& reactivity increases
Reaction with O2 to form Oxide
Compounds (Group I)
• Alkaline metals burn when heated in
oxygen or air.
• They form white oxide powders.
• This is redox reaction in which M
undergoes oxidation (0  +1) and O2
undergoes reduction (0  -2).

4M(s) + O2(g)  2M2O(s)

 Reaction of Oxide Compound
(Group I)
Reaction with water:
M2O(s) + H2O(l)  2MOH(aq)

Reaction with acid:

(a) M2O(s) + 2HCl(aq)  2MCl(aq) + H2O(l)
(b) M2O(s) + 2HNO3(aq)  2MNO3(aq) + H2O(l)
(c) M2O(s) + H2SO4(aq)  M2SO4(aq) + H2O(l)
 Reaction with O2 to form
Oxide Compounds (Group II)
• Burn in oxygen (air) when heated
• They form white oxide powders.
• This is redox reaction in which M
undergoes oxidation (0  +2) and O2
undergoes reduction (0  -2).

2M(s) + O2(g)  2MO(s)

 Reaction of Oxide Compound
(Group II)
Reaction with water:
MO(s) + H2O(l)  M(OH)2(aqors)

Reaction with acid:

(a) MO(s) + 2HCl(aq)  MCl2(aq) + H2O(l)
(b) MO(s) + 2HNO3(aq)  M(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l)
(c) MO(s) + H2SO4(aq)  MSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
 Reaction of Group I Elements
with H2O to form Hydroxide
Compounds
• The reaction with water is very
exothermic, fast and violent.
• Formation of alkaline solution
(hydroxide compounds) together with
hydrogen gas

2M(s) + 2H2O(l)  2MOH(aq) + H2(g)

 Reaction of Hydroxide
Compound (Group I)
Reaction with acid:
(a) MOH(aq) + HCl(aq)  MCl(aq) + H2O(l)
(b) MOH(aq) + HNO3(aq)  MNO3(aq) + H2O(l)
(c) 2MOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq)  M2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l )

Reaction with halogen:

At room temperature,
2MOH(aq) + X2(g)  MX + MOX + H2O(l)
( X2 = Cl2 , Br2 , I2 )
 Reaction of Group II Elements
with H2O to form Hydroxide
Compounds
• Alkaline earth metals react with water
to form metal hydroxide with the
liberation of hydrogen gas
• Beryllium has no reaction with water
or steam
• Reactivity of elements with water
become more reactive as go down the
Group II
 M(s) + 2H2O(l)  M(OH)2 (soraq) + H2(g)
(M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba)

• However, Mg burns in steam to produce

oxide and hydrogen

Mg(s) + H2O(g)  MgO(s) + H2(g)

steam
 Reaction of Hydroxide
Compound (Group II)

Reaction with acid:

(a) M(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq)  MCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)
(b) M(OH)2(aq) + 2HNO3(aq)
 M(NO3)2(s) + 2H2O(l)
(c) M(OH)2(aq) + H2SO4(aq)  MSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)
 Reaction of Group I with
Halogen, X2
• Heating the metal in chlorine will cause
it to burn forming the chloride .

2M(s) + Cl2(g)  2MCl(s)

• Salt products, M+X-, are white-colourless

crystalline ionic solids that dissolve in
water to give neutral solutions of about
pH 7.
 Reaction of Group II with
Halogen, X2

• Heating the metal in chlorine will

cause it to burn forming the chloride.

M(s) + Cl2(g)  MCl2(s)

Oxides Properties of
Period 3 Elements
 Reaction of Oxides with H2O
Element Equation
Na2O Na2O(s) + H2O(l)  2NaOH(aq) (soluble)
MgO MgO(s) + H2O(l)  Mg(OH)2(aq)
(Slightly soluble)
Al2O3 - insoluble in H2O
- amphoteric as it can react as a base &
as an acid
As a base:
Al2O3(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l)
As an acid: Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 3H2O(l)
→ 2NaAl(OH)4(aq)
Element Equation
SiO2 - insoluble in H2O
P4O6 P4O6(s) + 6H2O(l)  4H3PO3(aq)
dissolved Phosphonic acid
P4O10 P4O10(s) + 6H2O(l)  4H3PO4(aq)
dissolved Phosphoric acid
SO2 SO2(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO3(aq)
dissolved Sulphurous acid
SO3 SO3(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO4(aq)
dissolved Sulphuric acid
Cl2O Cl2O(g) + H2O(l)  2HOCl(aq)
Hypochlorous acid
Cl2O7 Cl2O7(l) + H2O(l)  2HClO4(aq)
Compound of Reaction
Group I
elements

Oxide • 4M(s) + O2(g)  2M2O(s)

M2O • white ionic solids, very soluble in
water to form the metal hydroxide

Hydroxide • 2M(s) + 2H2O(l)  2MOH(aq) + H2(g)

MOH • white ionic solids which very
soluble in water to form strongly
alkaline solutions (pH 13-14).
Compound Reaction
of Group I
elements
Chlorides • 2M(s) + Cl2(g)  2MCl(s)
MCl • The chlorides are colourless
crystalline solids, soluble in water
to give a neutral solution pH 7
Nitrates • MOH(aq) + HNO3(aq) 
MNO3 MNO3(aq) + H2O(l)
• Colourless, soluble, neutral
crystalline salts, formed by
neutralising the alkaline oxide or
hydroxide with nitric acid.
Compound of Reaction
Group I
elements
Sulphates • 2MOH + H2SO4  M2SO4 + 2H2O
M2SO4 • Colourless, soluble, neutral
crystalline salts, formed by
neutralising the alkaline oxide/
hydroxide with sulphuric acid.
Carbonates • 2MOH + CO2  M2CO3 + H2O
M2CO3 • White, soluble, weakly alkaline
solids formed by reacting the
hydroxide with carbon dioxide gas
eg the formation of Na2CO3 & H2O
Group II Reaction
compounds
Oxide • 2M(s) + O2(g)  2MO(s)
MO • The oxide, apart from beryllium, is
slightly soluble in water forming the
alkaline hydroxide, which increases in
strength of basic character down the
group.
Hydroxide • M(s) + 2H2O(l)  M(OH)2(aq/s) + H2(aq)
M(OH)2 • Magnesium hydroxide and calcium
hydroxide (limewater) are sparingly
soluble, but the solubility increases
down the group, so barium hydroxide is
moderately soluble.
Group II Reaction
compounds
Chloride • M(s) + 2HCl(aq)  MCl2(aq) + H2(g)
MCl2 • M(s) + Cl2(g)  MCl2(s)
• MCO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq)
 MCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
• M(OH)2 + 2HCl(aq)  MCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)
• Readily react with acids (except be) with
increasing vigorous down the group.
• Chloride salts are soluble

Nitrate • M + 2HNO3  M(NO3)2 + H2

M(NO3)2 • MCO3+ 2HNO3 M(NO3)2+ H2O +CO2
• M(OH)2+ 2HNO3  M(NO3)2 + 2H2O
Group II Reaction
compounds
Sulphate • MO + H2SO4  MSO4 + H2O
MSO4 • M(OH)2 + H2SO4  MSO4 + 2H2O
• M + H2SO4  MSO4 + H2
reaction increasingly slower for calcium 
barium as the sulphate becomes less
soluble.
Carbonate • M(OH)2 + CO2  MCO3 + H2O
MCO3 • Carbonate salt insoluble in water.
• The carbonates decompose on heating
to give the oxide and carbon dioxide and
exhibit a clear thermal stability trend
 Thermal Dissociation of Nitrates,
Carbonates & Hydroxides of
Group II Elements
 Decompose to form a metal oxide when
heated.
 e.g. Magnesium compounds
• Mg(NO3)2(s)  MgO(s) + 2NO2(g) + 1/2O2(g)
• MgCO3(s)  MgO(s) + CO2(g)
• Mg(OH)2(s)  MgO(s) + H2O(l)
 Uses of Group I Metals
 Na vapour is used in the yellow-orange
street lamps.
 Na liquid is used as a coolant in
specialized high-temperature
applications
 NaCl, 'common salt' is used as a food
flavouring and preservative.
 Na2CO3 is used in the manufacture of
glass and the treatment of hard water.
 Uses of Group I Metals
 NaOH is used in the manufacture of
soaps, detergents, bleaches, rayon.
 KNO3 is used in fertilizers.
 Cs, because of its low ionization
energy, is used in photosensors in
automatic doors, toilets, burglar
alarms, and other electronic devices
 Uses of Elements of Group II
Compound Use Reason of use
Be Applications Its low atomic no
involving The lowest
radioactivity tendency to absorb
X-rays of metallic
elements
Mg Lightweight metal Its low density
alloys in aircraft,
aircraft frames &
automobile
engine parts
Compound Use Reason of use
MgO Refractory (heat It has a very
resistant) lining of high mp.
furnaces.
CaO Spread onto CaO and
“Quicklime” agricultural land to Ca(OH)2 are
& Ca(OH)2 neutralize excess alkaline.
acidity
CaCO3 Major component of -
“Limestone” cement
Compound Use Reason of use
CaCl2 Road salt to lower -
the freezing point
of water on roads in
cold temperatures

CaSO4 Plaster casts for It absorbs water

broken limbs and sets to a
hard solid
 Learning Outcomes

Understand and explain the

similarities, variations and trends
in some physical and chemical
properties of the elements in
Groups I and II (s-block elements)