Charmaine Cuanan

Chemistry
Ms.Ly
Reactions of Group II Cations
Introduction:
Periodic trends are patterns on the periodic table that change as the table
progresses. Atomic trends are simplified into four categories: atomic radius, ionic radius,
electronegativity, and ionization energy. Atomic radius is the size of an element by the
measurement of the atom from its distance to the nucleus. As you go down the periodic
table, the size of the element increases, left to right, the size of the element decreases. The
larger the atomic radius is around the element, the more electrons shield the outermost
shell from getting attracted to the nucleus, this is called electron shielding. The more
orbitals you have, the more electron shielding you have. The Ionic radius is the
measurement of an atoms ion. Electronegativity is the attraction towards electrons in
chemical bonds. The electronegativity, while going left to right of the periodic table
increases. Electronegativity relies on the nuclear charge and the distance of the electrons
in a nucleus. The opposite of electronegativity is ionization, which is the removal of
electrons in a neutral ion. As you go top to bottom, the ionization energy of an ion
decreases, while going left to right, it increases.
Purpose:
Does the placement of an element on the periodic table affect its reactivity?
Hypothesis:
If the placement of an element on the periodic table affects its reactivity, then the
elements closest to the noble gases are the most electronegative because they only need
one more electron to complete the outer shell.
Materials:

Well plate
Beaker
Different Solutions
Dropper

Procedure:
1. Use a clean lab plate with at least a 4 x 5 array of small wells. Grab the pipettes
and place them in your beaker. You will head to the lab station with all the
solutions and grab a few drops in your pipette. Then you will bring it back to your
lab station.
Put ONE drop of
Mg2+ solution into each of the four wells in the top row.
Ca2+ solution into each of the four wells in the second row.
Sr2+ solution into each of the four wells in the third row.
Ba2+ solution into each of the four wells into the second row.
2. Put ONE drop off

 Co2- solution into each of the first five wells in the first column.
CrO42- solution into each of the first five wells in the second column.
OH- solution into each of the first five wells in the third column.
So42- solution into each of the first five wells in the fourth column.
3. Put an x in each box where a reaction took place. Placing the clear wells over a
dark surface will make it easier to see any precipitate that forms. In each box
marked X, write the correct formula for each neutral compound that was
formed.
4. Thoroughly rinse out your lab plate and your droppers. Droppers should be
flushed with water at least five times.
Data:

Anion/ Gp. 2
Cation

CO3^2-

Mg2+

CrO4^2-

OH-

SO4^2-

Ca2+
(calcium
chloride)
Sr2+

Ba2+

X
X

Discussion:
The reactions I noticed were reactions that took place on the CO3^2- cation. As
the chart goes down, the reactivity increased. During the experiment I noticed that the
substances turned into a white milky substance every time something reacted with one

another. Almost everything reacted with CO3^2-. While CrO4^2- only had one substance
react with it.

Conclusion:
If the placement on the periodic table defines the elements reactivity, then the
elements before the very last right most group are the most electronegative. My
hypothesis was not correct because it turns out the left most substances were the most
reactive towards one another (in this case). One trend that I noticed was the substances
that were tried out all have a charge of 2+. Some errors that couldve occurred were the
misplacement of substances into the wells. Someone couldve accidentally mixed up the
substances if they were not paying close attention. One thing that I still question is what
happens if an ion is the same element, but the charges are different. Which has more
reactivity?