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Shriver & Atkins: Inorganic Chemistry 4e

Chapter 11

Reactivity of the alkaline earth metals

The reaction of the alkaline earth metals with water is slower than that of the alkali metals. Nevertheless, reactivity does increase down the group. Reaction of magnesium with cold water is extremely slow though a stream of tiny bubbles suggests some reaction is occurring (reaction is faster with hot water).

Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(s) + H2(g)

Reaction of calcium with cold water is quite vigorous to produce slightly soluble calcium hydroxide.

Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(s) + H2(g)

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Solubility of sulfates

The trend in alkaline earth metal sulfates is from MgSO4 (very soluble) to BaSO4 (highly insoluble). The thick, white precipitate of barium sulfate is formed when any soluble bariums salt is mixed with any soluble sulfate. The insoluble barium sulfate suspension is used in stomach X-rays as barium is opaque to X-rays.

Ba2+(aq) + SO42-(aq) → BaSO4(s)

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