Alkaline Earth Metals Lab

Alkaline Earth Metals Lab Report

INTRODUCTION: This lab is designed to find a pattern in reactivity of different alkaline earth metals. Alkaline earth metals are elements in group 2 of the Periodic Table of Elements. These include Calcium, Magnesium, Barium, Strontium, Beryllium, and Radium, all of which are found in natural compounds and react with water, except for beryllium. Groups are sometimes called families, because they share chemical properties, behaviors, and reactions, due to the fact that they have the same valence electron shell configuration. They are the second most reactive metal, next to Alkali metals, which are in group one. Alkaline earth metal have two valence electrons. Losing electrons becomes easier the more sublevels there are in an

Calcium was then added into the water. A second test tube was then placed over the first, in order to collect anything given off from a reaction between the calcium and water, if it ensues. If a reaction does occur, the “collection tube” would then be placed over a lit splint. Following this, observations were taken on what had presented itself so far. Then, a drop of phenolphthalein was added to the calcium and water mixture, which could also be called the reactant tube. If the water changes colors after it’s added, that means the mixture is a base. Observations recorded on this step focused mostly on physical changes. To go even more in depth for part A, magnesium was also tested for reactivity. The steps for Mg are consistent with the steps for Ca, apart from that in this instance, the test tube is boiled after the metal is added to the water. Observations were still recorded. Part D also observed reactivity. First, 1 mL of MgCl2 was combined with 1 mL of Na2CO3 in a clean, empty test tube. In another, CaCl2 and Na2CO3. Then, observations were noted for