11.2 The s block: Groups 1 and 2

Group 1- alkali metals, Group 2- alkaline earth metals
Elements become more metallic and reactive as you move down the group, and less metallic as you move across the period (group 1 more reactive than group 2)
S block metals tend to be soft and weak, with low melting points, but pure metals are too reactive with water and oxygen to be of use or found in natural state (naturally commonly found in compounds)
All elements react with water to form hydrogen and a hydroxide, become more reactive as you go down the group. M(group 2 metal)+ 2H2O -> M(OH)2 + H2
General formula of oxides in MO and hydroxides is M(OH)2. In water, oxides and hydroxides form alkaline solution, although not very soluble- most strong at bottom of group
Heating of carbonates= MCO3 -> MO + CO2. Carbonates become more difficult to decomposes you go down the group, lower elements have a higher thermal stability
Hydroxides become more soluble as you go down the group
Carbonates become less soluble as you go down the group- not a perfect trend though

1 of 1

Get Revising