Group 2 Metals Syllabus – A-Level Inorganic Chemistry

This page summarises the Group 2 metals topic in A-Level Chemistry. It covers the alkaline earth metals, usually magnesium to barium, and focuses on trends, reactions, compounds, uses, and practical tests.

Overview

Group 2 metals are the alkaline earth metals. In A-Level Chemistry, students usually study magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium, with emphasis on how properties change down the group.

Core idea: learn the reactions and patterns of Mg–Ba, explain why these patterns change down the group, and apply that knowledge to compounds, tests, and practical contexts.

1. Periodic Trends

Students are expected to know and explain trends down Group 2, including:

2. Reactions of Group 2 Metals

Students usually need to describe, predict, and write equations for reactions with:

AQA explicitly includes the reactions of Mg–Ba with water, while Edexcel and Cambridge also include oxygen and acid reactions.

3. Chemistry of Group 2 Compounds

A major part of the syllabus is the chemistry of these compounds:

Students learn how these compounds react with water and dilute acids, and how some decompose when heated.

4. Solubility Trends

Some specifications require students to explain these trends qualitatively using ideas such as hydration enthalpy and lattice energy.

5. Thermal Stability

Students are expected to know that:

In some specifications, students also explain this using ionic radius and polarisation of the anion.

6. Uses and Applications

Some specifications include practical uses of Group 2 substances, especially in AQA:

7. Practical and Analytical Skills

Students may be expected to carry out, observe, or understand practical work such as:

Sources