Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level
Group 2
100 practice questions on Group 2, with worked solutions and instant marking.
A sample containing $0.40\ \text{mol}$ of calcium nitrate was heated in a roaring Bunsen burner flame until decomposition could no longer continue. Which products are formed in this reaction?
Feb/March 2016
Why does barium react with cold water more quickly than magnesium?
Feb/March 2017
Z is an anhydrous compound formed from a Group 2 element. On heating, Z thermally decomposes to give two different gases. Compared with other Group 2 compounds that contain the same anion as Z, Z has a relatively low thermal stability. What is compound Z?
Feb/March 2017
A solution includes both $\text{Mg}^{2+}$(aq) and $\text{Sr}^{2+}$(aq) at identical concentration. The solution is split into two equal parts. To one part, aqueous sodium hydroxide is added a drop at a time. To the other part, dilute sulfuric acid is added a drop at a time. Which row is correct?
Feb/March 2018
Calcium and its compounds are used in a wide range of applications.
Feb/March 2018
When metal T is reacted with water, a colourless solution forms. If this colourless solution is then mixed with aqueous sulfuric acid, a white precipitate forms. Which metal is T?
Feb/March 2019
L, M and N are Group 2 metals. L reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid more vigorously than N does. $\text{M(OH)}_2$ is more soluble than $\text{N(OH)}_2$. Which metals could L, M and N be?
Feb/March 2019
When Group 2 metals react with water, they produce alkaline solutions.
Feb/March 2020
Which row gives the correct description of one property of barium and one property of barium oxide?
Feb/March 2021
Which row correctly compares the solubilities of calcium hydroxide and barium hydroxide, and the thermal stabilities of calcium carbonate and barium carbonate?
Feb/March 2022
As you move down Group 2 of the Periodic Table, the properties of the elements and their compounds change in a regular pattern. Which property decreases from magnesium to barium?
Feb/March 2023
A list shows four properties of beryllium, Be, or a beryllium compound. Which one of these properties is unlike the property of magnesium or the corresponding magnesium compound?
Feb/March 2023
The Group 2 elements Mg to Ba are all reactive, silvery-white metals.
Feb/March 2023
Separate samples of magnesium and calcium are placed into an excess of dilute sulfuric acid. The results are shown in the table. Magnesium: reacts vigorously, bubbles of gas are given off, magnesium dissolves completely. Calcium: reacts vigorously at first, bubbles of gas are given off, the reaction soon stops and most of the calcium remains unreacted. Which statement accounts for the difference in these observations?
Feb/March 2024
Dolomite is a double carbonate, $\text{CaMg(CO}_3)_2$, and may be used in place of calcium carbonate for treating acidic soils. All three statements are about the agricultural use of these carbonates. Which statements are correct?
Feb/March 2024
A reaction sequence for a Group $2$ metal, M, is shown. $\text{M} \xrightarrow[]{\text{reacts with oxygen}} \text{X} \xrightarrow[]{\text{reacts with water}} \text{Y} \xrightarrow[]{\text{reacts with sulfuric acid}} \text{Z}$ Which row is right as M moves down Group $2$ from Mg to Ba?
Feb/March 2025
Define the term metallic bonding.
Feb/March 2025
Which property of Group II elements (beryllium to barium) falls as the atomic number increases?
May/June 2010
As organic waste rots in water, carboxylic acids are produced. The water turns acidic and aquatic organisms are killed. Which additives are appropriate for removing this acid pollution?
May/June 2010
Which property of Group II elements (beryllium to barium) becomes smaller as atomic number increases?
May/June 2010
Which characteristic of Group II elements (beryllium to barium) gets smaller as atomic number increases?
May/June 2010
Steam is reacted with heated magnesium to produce compound X and hydrogen. Which of the following is not a property of compound X?
May/June 2011
Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Calcium compounds are found in bones and teeth, and they also appear in many minerals. The reaction scheme shows some reactions of calcium and its compounds.
May/June 2011
Barium has proton number 56 and is a Group II element; in nature it is found as the carbonate or the sulfate. Sir Humphry Davy first isolated the element in 1808. The reaction scheme below shows several reactions of barium and its compounds.
May/June 2011
The Data Booklet may be needed for this question. A mineral was heated in a Bunsen flame until its mass no longer changed, and a colourless gas was released that made limewater go milky. After the residue had been cooled, it was added to aqueous hydrochloric acid. Vigorous effervescence occurred. Which mineral was it?
May/June 2012
The oxides $\text{BaO}$, $\text{CaO}$, $\text{MgO}$ and $\text{SrO}$ each form alkaline solutions when they are added to water. Which oxide gives the saturated solution with the greatest $\text{pH}$?
May/June 2012
What is observed when a piece of magnesium ribbon is put into cold water?
May/June 2012
A mineral was heated in a Bunsen flame until it had reached constant mass, and a colourless gas that caused lime water to turn milky was given off. The solid left behind was then cooled and added to aqueous hydrochloric acid. Strong effervescence was observed. What was the mineral?
May/June 2012
In which table row are every one of the statements that compare the compounds of magnesium and barium correct?
May/June 2013
Solids W, X, Y and Z are compounds of two different Group II metals. Their uses are outlined below. Compound W is used as a refractory lining material in kilns. Compound X is used as a building material. It may also be heated in a kiln to produce compound Y. When Y is hydrated, it produces compound Z, which is used in agriculture to treat soils. Which statements about these compounds are correct?
May/June 2013
Which row in the table contains only statements that correctly compare the compounds of calcium and barium?
May/June 2013
Solids $W$, $X$, $Y$ and $Z$ are compounds made from two different Group II metals. Their uses are outlined below. Compound $W$ serves as a refractory lining material in kilns. Compound $X$ is used as a construction material. It may also be heated in a kiln to produce compound $Y$. When $Y$ is hydrated, compound $Z$ is formed; this is used in agriculture to treat soils. Which statements about these compounds are correct?
May/June 2013
In which table row are all the comparisons between magnesium and barium correct?
May/June 2013
The solids W, X, Y and Z are compounds made from two different Group II metals. Their uses are outlined below. Compound W is used to make refractory linings in kilns. Compound X is used as a building material. It may also be heated in a kiln to produce compound Y. If Y is hydrated, it becomes compound Z, which is used in agriculture to treat soils. Which of the following statements about these compounds are correct?
May/June 2013
When calcium is burned in oxygen, what colour does the flame give?
May/June 2014
What colour does the flame have when barium is burned in oxygen?
May/June 2014
Which statement concerning the oxides and hydroxides of the Group II elements Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba is correct?
May/June 2014
The Data Booklet is needed for this question. $X$ belongs to the $s$-block. $X$ produces an insoluble carbonate with the formula $X\text{CO}_3$. $X$ also produces a hydroxide that is more soluble than strontium hydroxide. What could be the identity of $X$?
May/June 2014
Which substance is not produced when hydrated magnesium nitrate undergoes thermal decomposition?
May/June 2014
When strontium is burned in oxygen, what colour does the flame have?
May/June 2014
X is in Group II. It makes a sulfate that is more soluble than barium sulfate. It also makes a hydroxide that is more soluble than calcium hydroxide. What could X be?
May/June 2015
What occurs when a strip of magnesium ribbon is put into cold water?
May/June 2015
When heated, compound X gives off carbon dioxide gas and produces a white solid, Y. Neither X nor Y dissolves in water. Compound Y is used as a refractory lining for kilns. What is compound X?
May/June 2015
Chemists know that atoms consist of three kinds of particle.
May/June 2015
The elements in Group II, together with their compounds, display a range of patterns in their properties.
May/June 2015
X and Y are each Group 2 metals. Both X and Y make hydroxide compounds, but $X(\text{OH})_2$ dissolves in water more readily than $Y(\text{OH})_2$. When a piece of metal Y is added to cold water, the reaction is very slow, and only a few tiny hydrogen bubbles are visible. What could the identities of X and Y be?
May/June 2016
The solutions of $\text{Mg(NO}_3)_2$ and $\text{Ba(NO}_3)_2$ are treated separately through a sequence of reactions. $\text{Mg(NO}_3)_2(aq) \xrightarrow{\text{sodium carbonate solution}} M \xrightarrow{\text{excess HCl}(aq)} N \xrightarrow{\text{excess NaOH}(aq)} P$ $\text{Ba(NO}_3)_2(aq) \xrightarrow{\text{sodium carbonate solution}} Q \xrightarrow{\text{excess HCl}(aq)} R \xrightarrow{\text{excess NaOH}(aq)} S$ $M$, $N$ and $P$ are magnesium compounds. $Q$, $R$ and $S$ are barium compounds. How many of $M$, $N$, $P$, $Q$, $R$ and $S$ form white precipitates?
May/June 2016
Steam is passed across heated magnesium, producing compound $J$ and hydrogen. Which of the following is not a property of compound $J$?
May/June 2016
The compounds of Group 2, together with the elements themselves, exhibit many shared patterns and similarities in their properties.
May/June 2016
An excess of MgO is shaken with water. The mixture formed is then filtered into test-tube X. An excess of BaO is shaken with water. The mixture formed is then filtered into test-tube Y. Which oxide reacts more easily with water, and which filtrate has the lower pH?
May/June 2017
Samples of magnesium carbonate, $\text{MgCO}_3$, are put into crucibles R and S. The material in crucible R is heated until its mass no longer decreases, then it is left to cool. The material in crucible S is not heated. Dilute hydrochloric acid is then added to both crucibles. After the dilute hydrochloric acid is added, which observations are correct?
May/June 2017
Patterns can be observed in the physical and chemical properties of the elements in Group 2 and in their compounds. Which property decreases from magnesium to barium?
May/June 2017
Calcium oxide is mixed with water, and the mixture is then filtered. The liquid that passes through is filtrate X. If carbon dioxide is bubbled through filtrate X, a white precipitate appears. Which equation correctly represents the reaction between filtrate X and carbon dioxide?
May/June 2017
The table provides information about calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide. Which row is correct?
May/June 2017
Which row gives the correct description of how calcium and strontium react with water?
May/June 2017
A solid magnesium compound has the formula $\text{Mg(NO}_3)_2\cdot 6\text{H}_2\text{O}$. If this solid is heated in a hard-glass test-tube, one or more changes may be seen. Which statements are correct?
May/June 2017
Which row gives the correct description of one property of barium and one property of barium oxide?
May/June 2018
In Group 2 of the Periodic Table, the properties of the elements and their compounds change regularly down the group. Which property decreases from magnesium to barium?
May/June 2018
An ore includes magnesium carbonate and barium carbonate. A portion of the ore is dissolved in nitric acid. How can this solution be treated to obtain a magnesium compound and a separate barium compound?
May/June 2018
When calcium and calcium hydride, $\text{CaH}_2$, react independently with water, each reaction forms a white solid and a colourless gas. In both cases, the white solid is the same compound. Which of the following statements is correct?
May/June 2018
Sodium and magnesium make up the first two elements of the third period.
May/June 2018
Substance X is added to water. A gas is released and the pH of the resulting solution rises. The solution is then treated with sulfuric acid, producing a white precipitate. What could substance X be?
May/June 2019
A hard-glass test-tube is heated strongly while it contains a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium nitrate. Which gases are produced?
May/June 2019
Which reactions involving calcium and its compounds result in two gaseous products?
May/June 2019
Separate test-tubes each contain solid barium carbonate and solid magnesium carbonate, and dilute hydrochloric acid is then added. Separate test-tubes each contain $0.1\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ barium chloride and $0.1\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ magnesium chloride, and dilute sodium hydroxide is then added. Which row is the correct one?
May/June 2019
Water from a river in an agricultural region contains $\text{NH}_4^+$, $\text{CO}_3^{2-}$, $\text{HCO}_3^-$, $\text{Cl}^-$ and $\text{NO}_3^-$ ions. At a water treatment plant, a calculated amount of calcium hydroxide is added to treat this water. Which substance is formed as a precipitate when calcium hydroxide is added to the river water?
May/June 2019
Group 2 elements have similar chemical properties.
May/June 2019
Magnesium silicide, $Mg_2Si$, is a compound formed by heating magnesium with sand.
May/June 2019
Magnesium reacts with oxygen to make magnesium oxide. State two observations that would be seen when magnesium is heated strongly and put into a gas jar containing pure oxygen.
May/June 2019
An excess of MgO is mixed by shaking with water. The mixture produced is then filtered into test-tube P. An excess of BaO is mixed by shaking with water. The mixture produced is then filtered into test-tube Q. Which oxide reacts more quickly with water, and which filtrate has the lower pH?
May/June 2020
Which property gets larger from magnesium to barium?
May/June 2020
These statements concern the elements in Group 2. Which statement is the correct one?
May/June 2020
Which property increases from calcium to barium as Group 2 is descended?
May/June 2020
Strontium nitrate is heated strongly for several minutes. Which of the following statements are correct?
May/June 2020
A barium sample is heated in oxygen.
May/June 2020
Q is made up of a Group 2 oxide and a Group 2 sulfate in equal quantities. When Q is shaken with water, the mixture is then filtered and a solid residue remains. The solid residue shows no reaction on shaking with $\text{HCl}(\text{aq})$. On shaking the filtrate with $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4(\text{aq})$, a white precipitate is formed. What might Q be?
May/June 2021
Which of the following statements are correct? 1 Magnesium carbonate breaks down at a lower temperature than calcium carbonate. 2 Calcium hydroxide is more soluble in water than magnesium hydroxide. 3 Calcium is a stronger reducing agent than magnesium.
May/June 2021
Z is an anhydrous compound of a Group 2 element. On heating, Z decomposes thermally to form two different gases. Compared with other Group 2 compounds that contain the same anion as Z, it has relatively low thermal stability. What is compound Z?
May/June 2021
A mixture consists only of magnesium carbonate and barium carbonate. A sample of this mixture is dissolved in nitric acid, forming a solution. How can this solution be treated so that a magnesium compound and a separate barium compound are obtained?
May/June 2022
Magnesium nitrate is heated in the apparatus illustrated. The pH of the liquid in the trough is then measured. The gas obtained is tested with a glowing splint. What results are observed?
May/June 2022
The table shows details about calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide. Which row is correct?
May/June 2022
Q belongs to Group 2 metals. An excess of $\text{QCO}_3(\text{s})$ is added to $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4(\text{aq})$, and the resulting mixture is filtered. A sample of $\text{QSO}_4$ is then collected by evaporating the filtrate. Which element could Q be?
May/June 2022
$\text{NaOH(aq)}$ is introduced separately to samples of magnesium chloride solution and barium chloride solution. $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4\text{(aq)}$ is then added drop by drop to each reaction mixture until it is in excess. What is seen at the end of this sequence of reactions?
May/June 2022
Calcium, magnesium and radium are all Group 2 elements. Radium shows the same patterns as the other Group 2 members.
May/June 2022
Magnesium has a melting point of $650\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ and a high electrical conductivity. When magnesium is heated in air, magnesium oxide, $\text{MgO}$, is formed as the main product. Smaller quantities of magnesium nitride, $\text{Mg}_3\text{N}_2$, are also produced.
May/June 2022
Radium, $\text{Ra}$, belongs to Group 2 of the Periodic Table. At room temperature it is a crystalline solid and it conducts electricity. Radium chloride, $\text{RaCl}_2$, melts at $900\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ and dissolves in water.
May/June 2022
Which statement accounts for calcium having a higher melting point than barium?
May/June 2023
The table sets out a comparison between calcium and barium, as well as calcium carbonate and barium carbonate. Which row is the correct one?
May/June 2023
The same volumes of saturated solutions of magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide and strontium hydroxide are fully neutralised by dilute sulfuric acid. The water is then carefully evaporated from each solution formed, so that the matching solid sulfates are left behind. These solid sulfates are next dissolved completely in the smallest amount of water needed to make saturated solutions. Which statement about the volumes of water required to dissolve the sulfates is correct?
May/June 2023
A blend of calcium carbonate, calcium nitrate, strontium carbonate and strontium nitrate is thermally decomposed. The decomposition reaction of each substance proceeds to completion. Each substance is anhydrous. How many distinct products are produced?
May/June 2024
W is a solid which reacts with water to form an alkaline solution. When two drops of dilute $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$ are added to this alkaline solution, a white precipitate is formed. What could be the identity of solid W?
May/June 2024
Radium is an element that lies beneath barium in Group 2 of the Periodic Table. Which equation represents the change when solid radium nitrate, $\text{Ra(NO}_3)_2$, is heated strongly?
May/June 2025
Which of the following statements about strontium and its compounds is true?
May/June 2025
Which of the statements is correct?
May/June 2025
W, X, Y and Z are Group 2 elements: barium, calcium, magnesium and strontium, although not necessarily in that sequence. W reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid more quickly than Y does. The hydroxide of X is less soluble in water than the hydroxide of W. The sulfate of Y is the most soluble among the sulfates of W, X, Y and Z. At the same temperature, the carbonate of Z decomposes more slowly than the carbonate of W. What is the $M_r$ of the nitrate of W?
May/June 2025
Substance J reacts with water, releasing a gas and causing the pH of the solution to rise. The resulting solution is then reacted with sulfuric acid, forming a white precipitate. What could substance J be?
May/June 2025
The reaction scheme illustrates two consecutive reactions beginning with element Q. Element Q is either calcium or barium. $\text{element Q} \xrightarrow[\text{1}]{\text{heat with oxygen}} \text{compound R}$ $\text{element Q} \xrightarrow[\text{2}]{\text{add to water}} \text{compound R}$ Element Q produces a nitrate that is less thermally stable than strontium nitrate. Which compound is R?
May/June 2025
On heating magnesium nitrate, $\text{Mg(NO}_3\text{)}_2\cdot7\text{H}_2\text{O}$, which three gases are released?
Oct/Nov 2010
Which property of beryllium and its compounds is characteristic of the elements beneath it in Group II?
Oct/Nov 2010
Separate samples of calcium and barium are each placed into beakers of cold water that contain a few drops of litmus solution. Which observation is seen with calcium only, and not with barium?
Oct/Nov 2010