2. Ms Ong Li Bing (ext: 176)
Group II (For H2 Only) ong.li.bing@vjc.sg
12 3
Chemistry of typical non-metals
4 56 7
Chemistry of typical metals 8
There is something for you to
note down in your lecture
notes

3. Overview
Rxn of Gp II
oxides with water
Solubility of
Chemical Gp II sulfates
Properties
Group II Thermal
Physical Decomposition
Properties
Uses

4. Assessment Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
(a) describe the reactions of the elements with oxygen and
water
(b) describe the behaviour of the oxides with water
(c) interpret and explain qualitatively the trend in the thermal
stability of the nitrates in terms of the charge density of the
cation and the polarisability of the large anion
(d) interpret, and make predictions from, the trends in physical
and chemical properties of the elements and their compounds

5. 1 Introduction
Electronic Configuration of Group II elements:
Beryllium Be 1s2 2s2 [He] 2s2
Magnesium Mg 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 [Ne] 3s2
Calcium Ca 1s22s22p63s23p64s2 [Ar] 4s2
Strontium Sr [Kr] 5s2
Barium Ba [Xe] 6s2
Radium Ra [Rn] 7s2
Electronic configuration for the valence shell is ns2
where n is the period number.

6. 1 Introduction
• Group II metals are also known as alkaline-earth
metals. They are part of the s-block elements and
have low electronegativity.
• In the elements, the cations are in a sea of delocalised
electrons and are held together by metallic bonds.
• Group II elements are
good electrical and
thermal conductors.
• Their appearance is
silvery-white, soft and
they are easily oxidised
when exposed to air.