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Group II Elements and Their Compounds

s-block character and electronic configuration

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit AS 2

Overview

Recall questions on why Group II elements are s-block, the general ns² outer configuration, the full and shorthand configurations of magnesium, calcium and barium, the configurations of the ions, why the charge is always 2+, the half equation for ion formation, and why the elements are good reducing agents.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why are the Group II elements described as s-block elements?

Key term

State the general outer electronic configuration of a Group II atom.

Key term

Write the full electronic configuration of a magnesium atom.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Why are the Group II elements described as s-block elements?

    Model answer

    The highest energy electron in each of their atoms occupies an s subshell, and their outer shell holds two s electrons.

  2. 2

    State the general outer electronic configuration of a Group II atom.

    Model answer

    The general outer configuration is ns², where n is the number of the outer shell.

  3. 3

    Write the full electronic configuration of a magnesium atom.

    Model answer

    The configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s².

  4. 4

    Write the electronic configuration of calcium using the noble gas shorthand.

    Model answer

    [Ar] 4s².

  5. 5

    Write the electronic configuration of barium using the noble gas shorthand.

    Model answer

    The configuration is [Xe]6s².

  6. 6

    What charge do Group II ions carry, and why?

    Model answer

    They carry a 2+ charge, because losing both outer s electrons leaves the ion with the full outer shell of the preceding noble gas.

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