Reactivity and Properties of Alkaline Earth Metals

This lesson covers the alkaline earth metals in group two of the periodic table, focusing on magnesium and calcium. It explains their properties, reactivity trends, and reactions with oxygen and water. Magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide and with steam to produce hydrogen gas. Calcium reacts with oxygen to form calcium oxide and with cold water to produce calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The lesson highlights the increasing reactivity and decreasing melting points of these metals down the group.

Which group in the periodic table do alkaline earth metals belong to?

• Group 1

• Group 2

• Group 4

• Group 3

What is a common property of alkaline earth metals regarding their valence electrons?

• They have four valence electrons

• They have three valence electrons

• They have two valence electrons

• They have one valence electron

What is the appearance of magnesium before it reacts with oxygen?

• Shiny and silver

• Rusty and red

• Dull and gray

• Black and matte

What is the product formed when magnesium reacts with oxygen?

• Magnesium nitrate

• Magnesium sulfate

• Magnesium oxide

• Magnesium chloride

How does calcium compare to magnesium in terms of hardness?

• Calcium is harder

• Calcium is brittle

• Both are equally hard

• Calcium is softer

What color flame does calcium produce when it burns?

• Yellow

• Red

• Green

• Blue

What is the product when calcium oxide reacts with water?

• Calcium nitrate

• Calcium hydroxide

• Calcium sulfate

• Calcium carbonate

What gas is produced when calcium reacts with water?

• Carbon dioxide

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Hydrogen

Which metal reacts with steam to produce hydrogen gas?

• Strontium

• Barium

• Magnesium

• Calcium

How does the reactivity of alkaline earth metals change as you move down the group?

• Reactivity decreases

• Reactivity fluctuates

• Reactivity increases

• Reactivity remains the same