Introduction

• Group 2 includes beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium. • These elements with the exception of beryllium are commonly known as the alkaline earth metals. • The alkaline earth metals have low ionization enthalpies due to fairly large size of the atoms. • Since the atomic size increases down the group, their ionization enthalpy decreases. • The first ionisation enthalpies of the alkaline earth metals are higher than those of the corresponding Group1 metals. • It is interesting to note that the second ionisation enthalpies of the alkaline earth metals are smaller than those of the corresponding alkali metals.

Pre-Requisites:

Alkali earth metals, elements, periodic table, ionization enthalpy

Activity:

Bones and teeth have calcium in them.

Real Life Question:

Where do you find calcium in the body?

Key Words / FlashCards

Learning aids / Gadgets

Real life uses :

Calcium is important for the bone and teeth development.

Places to visit :

Kitchen.

Practical examples around us

What you learn in Theory:

• The alkaline earth metals have low ionization enthalpies due to fairly large size of the atoms. • Since the atomic size increases down the group, their ionization enthalpy decreases. • The first ionisation enthalpies of the alkaline earth metals are higher than those of the corresponding Group1 metals. • It is interesting to note that the second ionisation enthalpies of the alkaline earth metals are smaller than those of the corresponding alkali metals.

What you learn in Practice:

• Important ions for the body like calcium and magnesium belong to group 2 in the periodic table.