CHEMISTRY

QUESTIONSHEETS

AS TOPIC 10

GROUPS 1 AND 2

AS Level

Questionsheet

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATIONS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

16 marks

Questionsheet

IONISATION ENERGIES

17 marks

Questionsheet

REACTIONS OF THE ELEMENTS WITH OXYGEN AND CHLORINE

17 marks

Questionsheet

REACTIONS OF THE ELEMENTS WITH WATER

17 marks

Questionsheet

REACTIONS OF THE ELEMENTS WITH DILUTE ACIDS

15 marks

Questionsheet

OXIDES, PEROXIDES AND SUPEROXIDES

14 marks

Questionsheet

GROUP 2 OXIDES WITH WATER AND DILUTE ACIDS

16 marks

Questionsheet

HYDROXIDES

15 marks

Questionsheet

CHLORIDES

13 marks

Questionsheet

10

SULPHATES OF GROUP 2

15 marks

Questionsheet

11

CARBONATES

17 marks

Questionsheet

12

HARDNESS OF WATER

14 marks

Questionsheet

13

NITRATES

17 marks

Questionsheet

14

ATYPICAL CHARACTER OF BERYLLIUM

18 marks

Questionsheet

15

FLAME TEST

22 marks

Questionsheet

16

USES OF GROUP 2 COMPOUNDS

15 marks

Questionsheet

17

TEST QUESTION

17 marks

Authors
Trevor Birt
Donald E Caddy
Andrew Jones
Editor
John Brockington

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urriculum

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 1

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

a) Define the term s-block element.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
b) (i)

What oxidation numbers(s) do the elements of Group 2 display in their compounds?

....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) What principal feature do the electronic configurations of these elements have in common?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) Complete the following table by giving the electronic configurations of a strontium atom and of a calcium
cation.
1s 2s

2p 3s

3p 3d 4s

4p 4d 5s

5p

Sr
Ca2+

[2]

c) Are the atomic radii of s-block elements smaller or larger than the ionic radii of their cations? How do you
account for this?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
d) The following table gives some physical properties of six s-block elements.
Metal

Melting temperature / K

Density / g cm-3

Group 1

Lithium
Sodium
Potassium

453
371
302

0.53
0.97
1.90

Group 2

Calcium
Strontium
Barium

1123
1041
987

1.54
2.62
3.51

State and explain how the melting temperatures and densities of the s-block elements vary on progressing
down Groups 1 and 2 of the Periodic Table.
Melting temperatures ........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
Densities ............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
TOTAL / 16

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 2

IONISATION ENERGIES
a) Would you expect the first ionisation energy of magnesium to be higher or lower than that of sodium?
Explain your answer.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
b) (i)

Define the term second ionisation energy and write an equation to show this change.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(ii) Briefly explain how and why the first and second ionisation energies of the Group 2 elements vary down
the group.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
c) (i)

State whether the s-block elements are oxidising agents or reducing agents and explain your statement.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(ii) Sodium is used industrially to convert titanium(IV) chloride to titanium metal. Write a chemical equation
for this reaction and identify the reducing and oxidising agents involved.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]

TOTAL / 17

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 3

REACTIONS OF THE ELEMENTS WITH OXYGEN AND CHLORINE

a) (i)

Write two chemical equations for the combination of sodium and oxygen, one for the formation of
sodium oxide and another for the formation of sodium peroxide.
Equation for sodium oxide .................................................................................................................... [1]
Equation for sodium peroxide .............................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) Under what conditions would you expect to get sodium peroxide rather than sodium oxide?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) Write down the oxidation number of oxygen in sodium oxide and in sodium peroxide.
Oxidation number in sodium oxide ....................................................................................................... [1]
Oxidation number in sodium peroxide ................................................................................................. [1]
(iv) Why can only barium of the Group 2 elements form a stable peroxide?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
b) Sodium and magnesium react with chlorine to give the ionic compounds sodium chloride and magnesium
chloride respectively.
(i)

How could these reactions be demonstrated in the laboratory?

....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) State one difference and one similarity between the sodium ion and the magnesium ion.
Difference ............................................................................................................................................. [1]
Similarity ............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(iii) Why does the similarity in b) (ii) occur?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iv) Explain the reactions between metals (such as Na or Mg) and chlorine in terms of oxidation and reduction,
referring in your answer to the transfer of electrons.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(v) What is the oxidation number of:
sodium in sodium chloride? .................................................................................................................. [1]
magnesium in magnesium chloride? .................................................................................................... [1]
TOTAL / 17

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 4

REACTIONS OF THE ELEMENTS WITH WATER

a) Under what conditions does water react rapidly with magnesium? State what you would observe and write a
balanced chemical equation for the reaction, giving the states of matter for all reactants and products.
Conditions ..................................................................................................................................................... [2]
Observations ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
Equation ........................................................................................................................................................ [2]
b) State the conditions and write a similar chemical equation for the reaction of barium powder with water.
Conditions ..................................................................................................................................................... [1]
Equation ........................................................................................................................................................ [2]
c) State and explain two ways in which the reactions in a) and b) differ from each other.
Difference 1 ................................................................................................................................................... [1]
Explanation ................................................................................................................................................... [1]
Difference 2 ................................................................................................................................................... [1]
Explanation ................................................................................................................................................... [1]
d) (i)

In its reaction with water, is sodium more reactive than magnesium or less reactive?

....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain your answer to d) (i) in terms of ionisation energies.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]

TOTAL / 17

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 5

REACTIONS OF THE ELEMENTS WITH DILUTE ACIDS

Magnesium sulphate is a common constituent of rose fertilisers.
a) Why do you think this compound is included in fertilisers?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
b) Magnesium sulphate can be prepared by dissolving magnesium in dilute sulphuric acid and then crystallising
the solution.
(i)

Write two ionic half-equations for this reaction.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Combine the half-equations into an overall ionic equation.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) Expand this ionic equation into a full chemical equation with state symbols.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
c) (i)

Explain why it would not be economic, in the chemical industry, to manufacture magnesium sulphate by
the method in b).

...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Given that magnesium occurs naturally as magnesium carbonate (magnesite), suggest, with an equation, a
cheaper method which could be used to manufacture crystals of magnesium sulphate.
Method ......................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................... [2]
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [1]
d) It is not chemically possible to prepare barium sulphate by dissolving barium in dilute sulphuric acid. Why is this?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
e) Ignoring economic aspects, explain why it would not be sensible to prepare sodium sulphate by dissolving
sodium in dilute sulphuric acid.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
TOTAL / 15

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 6

OXIDES, PEROXIDES AND SUPEROXIDES

a) (i)

Suggest, giving your reasoning, which of the following oxides has the highest melting point:
magnesium oxide, strontium oxide, barium oxide and calcium oxide.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(ii) Suggest an industrial application for the oxide you gave in a) (i) and explain how the strength of its
bonding relates to its application.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
b) (i)

Complete the following table by placing a tick in a box to indicate whether the compound can exist as a
relatively stable substance.
Element

Monoxide

Peroxide

Superoxide

Lithium
Sodium
Potassium
Caesium
Calcium
Barium
[3]
(ii) Suggest how the size of cations and anions could be a principal reason for the pattern of peroxide formation.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(iii) Draw a dot and cross diagram of a superoxide ion and indicate the oxidation state of oxygen in this ion.
Diagram

Oxidation state
[3]
TOTAL / 14

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 7

GROUP 2 OXIDES WITH WATER AND DILUTE ACIDS

a) In a series of laboratory experiments, the oxides of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba were shaken in a test tube with
deionised water. Afterwards, the contents of each test tube were tested with a pH meter and it was found that,
on progressing from magnesium oxide to barium oxide, the pH increased from ~7 to ~14.
(i)

Why should the pH, in any of these experiments, be greater than 7?

...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Write an ionic equation for any reaction that occurs.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) Explain the increase in pH on progressing from magnesium oxide to barium oxide.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iv) State, with your reason, what type of chemical reaction occurs in these experiments.
Type of reaction ..................................................................................................................................... [1]
Reason .......................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................... [2]
b) Calcium chloride can be prepared by dissolving either calcium or calcium oxide in hydrochloric acid, yet
these two reactions are of different types. Write the ionic equation for each reaction, then classify it, and
finally justify your classification by discussing the transfer of protons or electrons as appropriate.
Calcium and hydrochloric acid
Ionic equation ................................................................................................................................................ [1]
Classification ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
Justification .......................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
Calcium oxide and hydrochloric acid
Ionic equation ................................................................................................................................................ [1]
Classification ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
Justification .......................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]

TOTAL / 16

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 8

HYDROXIDES
a) Explain the reaction between sodium hydroxide and nitric acid in terms of the Brnsted-Lowry theory.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
b) Write balanced chemical equations, with state symbols, for 2 mol of sodium hydroxide reacting with each of
the following in aqueous solution.
(i)

1 mol of sulphuric acid

....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) 2 mol of sulphuric acid
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) 1 mol of ammonium sulphate
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iv) 1 mol of magnesium sulphate
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
c) (i)

Write an equation for the action of heat on magnesium hydroxide.

....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) On descending Group 2 of the Periodic Table, does the decomposition of hydroxides require lower
temperatures or higher temperatues?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) What is the action of heat on sodium hydroxide?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
d) What trend in the solubility of hydroxides in water is observed on descending Group 2?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]

TOTAL / 15

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 9

CHLORIDES
a) (i)

Explain the term polarising power of a cation. Describe how the polarising powers of M2+ cations of
Group 2 vary.
Polarising power ................................................................................................................................... [1]
Variation ................................................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) The polarising power of the cations of lithium and magnesium are similar, despite the ions having different
charges. How do you account for this?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) Explain why an aqueous solution of magnesium chloride of a given molarity has a pH of 5.5 and an
aqueous solution of sodium chloride of the same molarity has a pH of 7.0.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
(iv) An experiment showed that when an aqueous solution of magnesium chloride was boiled down in an
evaporating basin its pH rose from 5.5 to a value > 7.0. Suggest an explanation for this fact.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
b) When recrystallised from water, the chlorides of lithium and of the Group 2 elements contain water of
crystallisation. The chlorides of the other Group 1 elements do not have water of crystallisation when prepared
in this way. Suggest why this occurs.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]

TOTAL / 13

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 10

SULPHATES OF GROUP 2
The solubility of a salt has a major bearing on its method of preparation. Illustrate the truth of this statement
by outlining the preparation of:
a) magnesium sulphate (a soluble salt) from magnesium oxide,
b) barium sulphate (an insoluble salt) from barium oxide.
In your answers you should name any reagents which are required, state (but do not describe) the necessary
laboratory techniques, and write chemical equations for the reactions involved.
a) Magnesium sulphate
Reagent(s) and techniques
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................

Equation(s)
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [8]
b) Barium sulphate
Reagent(s) and techniques
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
Equation(s)
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [7]
TOTAL / 15

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 11

CARBONATES
a) How do the solubilities of the carbonates of Group 2 elements compare with those of Group 1 elements?
Explain why there is a variation.
Comparison .................................................................................................................................................. [1]
Explanation .......................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
b) Write balanced chemical equations, including state symbols, for the reactions which occur on heating the
following compounds with a Bunsen burner.
Lithium carbonate ......................................................................................................................................... [1]
Sodium carbonate .......................................................................................................................................... [1]
Magnesium carbonate.................................................................................................................................... [1]
c) How would you test for the presence of one of the products of the thermal decomposition of magnesium
carbonate?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
d) Magnesium carbonate undergoes thermal decomposition rapidly at around 700 oC. Would the thermal
decomposition of barium carbonate require a higher or lower temperature? Explain your choice.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
e) (i)

Describe, with the aid of a chemical equation, what would occur if carbon dioxide were bubbled through
an aqueous solution of radium hydroxide.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(ii) Suggest what you would observe if dilute hydrochloric acid were added to the reaction mixture obtained
from e) (i). Explain your predictions using a chemical equation.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]

TOTAL / 17

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 12

HARDNESS OF WATER
It is difficult to obtain a lather with hard water and soap.
a) (i)

What cationic species cause water hardness?

....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Why is it difficult to obtain a lather?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
b) Water hardness is categorised into two types:

Temporary hardness, due to the presence of soluble hydrogencarbonate, which is destroyed by prolonged
boiling.

Permanent hardness, which is unaffected by boiling.

(i)

What is the white solid formed when temporarily hard water is boiled? Write a chemical equation for the
reaction occurring when this happens.
Solid ..........................................................................................................................................................
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [2]

(ii) When hydrochloric acid is added to the white solid in b) (i), a gas is evolved which produces a precipitate
when bubbled through limewater. Write chemical equations for the two reactions which occur.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) If the gas is passed through limewater for a long time the precipitate appears to redissolve. Give a chemical
equation for the reaction.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iv) Why is permanent hardness unaffected by boiling?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
c) Sodium carbonate (washing soda) is widely used for softening water. Would you expect it to remove temporary
hardness, permanent hardness or both? Explain your answer.
Type(s) of hardness removed ......................................................................................................................... [1]
Explanation .......................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]

TOTAL / 14

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 13

NITRATES
a) The following compounds decompose when they are heated with a Bunsen burner. Write chemical equations
for each decomposition and state how you could identify any gases evolved.
(i)

Lithium nitrate
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) Sodium nitrate

Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [1]
(iii) Calcium nitrate
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [1]

Identification of gases ...............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................... [3]
b) On heating, 0.253 g of a compound X, known to be either sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate, evolved 30.0
cm3 of gas at room temperature and pressure. Identify X and show your working clearly. (Assume that 1 mole
of any gas occupies 24.0 dm3 at room temperature and pressure.)
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
c) State and explain the trend in thermal stability of nitrates:
(i)

within Group 2.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
(ii) from magnesium to sodium.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]

TOTAL / 17

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 14

ATYPICAL CHARACTER OF BERYLLIUM

a) (i)

When aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to an aqueous solution of beryllium chloride, a white precipitate X
is obtained. This will dissolve in dilute sulphuric acid to give a colourless solution Y, and will also dissolve
in aqueous sodium hydroxide to give a colourless solution Z. Name the compounds X, Y and Z.
Name of X ............................................................................................................................................ [1]
Name of Y ............................................................................................................................................ [1]
Name of Z ............................................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) Distinguish between the acid-base character of beryllium oxide and that of the other oxides of Group 2
elements.
Character of beryllium oxide ................................................................................................................ [1]
Character of other Group 2 oxides ....................................................................................................... [1]
b) When a concentrated solution of sodium fluoride is added to an aqueous solution of a beryllium salt, the
complex ion [BeF4]2- is formed.
(i) Why does beryllium, alone among the Group 2 elements, form stable complex ions?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(ii) Why is the coordination number of beryllium in this complex ion 4 rather than 6?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
c) Beryllium chloride is covalent, in contrast to other Group 2 chlorides, which are ionic.
(i) What experimental evidence, apart from low melting point and solubility in organic solvents, would you
seek to confirm that beryllium chloride is covalent?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(ii) Why should beryllium chloride be covalent?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(iii) Beryllium chloride in the vapour phase is polymeric. Sketch the structure, distinguishing carefully
between the two types of bonding which are present.

[2]
TOTAL / 18

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 15

FLAME TEST
a) Outline the experimental procedure for carrying out the flame test on solid samples of pure compounds. Give
a list of apparatus and reagents needed for this test.
Apparatus ...................................................................................................................................................... [2]
Reagent(s) ...................................................................................................................................................... [1]
Procedure ..........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
b) Explain how an ion M+ causes a flame colour.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [3]
c) Identify the salts A, B, C, D and E from the following information, and in each case write an equation for the
chemical reaction described.
(i)

A gives a golden yellow flame, and on heating evolves a colourless gas which relights a glowing splint.
Identity of A ......................................................................................................................................... [1]
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [2]

(ii) B gives an apple green flame, and in aqueous solution gives a white precipitate with aqueous silver
nitrate.
Identity of B ......................................................................................................................................... [1]
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [2]
(iii) C gives a brick red flame, and on heating gives off a colourless gas which turns limewater milky.
Identity of C ......................................................................................................................................... [1]
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [1]
(iv) D gives a lilac flame, and in aqueous solution gives a white precipitate with aqueous barium chloride.
Identity of D ......................................................................................................................................... [1]
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [2]
(v) E gives a crimson flame, and on heating evolves brown fumes.
Identity of E ......................................................................................................................................... [1]
Equation ................................................................................................................................................ [2]
TOTAL / 22

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 16

USES OF GROUP 2 COMPOUNDS

a) Complete the following table by inserting one major use, in industry, agriculture or medicine, of the compounds
shown.
Compound

Use

Calcium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide
Calcium carbonate
Magnesium oxide
Barium sulphate
[5]
b) (i)

Describe how you would carry out the limewater test for carbon dioxide, assuming that you were working
on a small scale with test tubes and a teat pipette but no other apparatus.

...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
(ii) Explain why, in the limewater test, the milkiness disappears in the presence of excess carbon dioxide.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
c) Barium chloride solution is useful in qualitative analysis.
(i) What anion is it used to detect?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) What observation can be expected if that anion is present?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) Write an ionic equation for the reaction.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iv) Why should an aqueous solution be acidified with HCl(aq) before BaCl2(aq) is added to it in this test?
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]

TOTAL / 15

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TOPIC 10 Questionsheet 17

TEST QUESTION
a) Although compounds of Group 1 elements are soluble in water, nevertheless some of them occur in a solid
state in the Earths crust. Suggest two possible reasons for this, quoting examples of compounds and locations.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [4]
b) Aqueous magnesium ions are present in sea water at very low concentration. They can be precipitated as
compound A from solution by adding lime as the first stage in extracting the metal, magnesium, from sea
water.
(i)

What is compound A? Write an ionic equation to show its formation from Mg2+(aq) in sea water.
Compound A ...........................................................................................................................................
Ionic equation ....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Lime is formed from limestone by thermal decomposition. Write a chemical equation for this process.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) Lime is an economic and therefore widely used base. It is often sold as slaked lime, made by reacting
lime with water. Write a chemical equation for this process.
....................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iv) Lime is used in the extraction of magnesium because calcium hydroxide is more soluble than magnesium
hydroxide. Explain why this difference in solubility arises, using the terms lattice enthalpy, hydration
enthalpy and enthalpy of solution.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [5]
(v) Compound A is reacted to form magnesium chloride. Suggest, giving a chemical equation, how this is
done.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(vi) After recrystallising and drying, magnesium chloride is electrolysed. Give ionic equations for the processes
occurring at the cathode and at the anode.
Cathode reaction ...............................................................................................................................................
Anode reaction............................................................................................................................................... [2]
TOTAL / 17