Questions on Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2)
Multiple-Choice Questions: Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2)
Properties and Characteristics
1. Which of the following elements is an alkaline earth metal?
A) Sodium
B) Beryllium
C) Lithium
D) Potassium
E) Hydrogen
2. What is the general oxidation state of alkaline earth metals in compounds?
A) +1
B) 0
C) +2
D) –1
E) –2
3. Which of the following is the lightest alkaline earth metal?
A) Magnesium
B) Calcium
C) Strontium
D) Barium
E) Beryllium
4. Which of the following statements about alkaline earth metals is TRUE?
A) They are non-metals
B) They are very hard and brittle
C) They have two electrons in their outer shell
D) They do not react with water
E) They are gaseous at room temperature
5. Which property increases as you go down the group of alkaline earth metals?
A) Ionization energy
B) Electronegativity
C) Reactivity with water
D) Melting point
E) Hardness
6. Alkaline earth metals are located in which group of the periodic table?
A) Group 1
B) Group 3
C) Group 2
D) Group 18
E) Group 17
7. Which alkaline earth metal is used in fireworks to produce a bright red flame?
A) Beryllium
B) Magnesium
C) Calcium
D) Strontium
E) Barium
8. What type of compounds do alkaline earth metals typically form?
A) Covalent compounds
B) Ionic compounds
C) Organic compounds
D) Network solids
E) Gaseous hydrides
9. Which alkaline earth metal is essential for strong bones and teeth in humans?
A) Magnesium
B) Barium
C) Calcium
D) Beryllium
E) Radium
10. What is the electron configuration ending for alkaline earth metals?
A) ns²
B) ns¹
C) np⁶
D) nd⁵
E) np⁴
Chemical Behavior and Reactions
11. Which alkaline earth metal burns with a brilliant white flame?
A) Calcium
B) Barium
C) Magnesium
D) Strontium
E) Radium
12. When an alkaline earth metal reacts with water, the products are:
A) Metal oxide and hydrogen
B) Metal hydroxide and oxygen
C) Metal hydroxide and hydrogen
D) Metal nitride and ammonia
E) Metal sulfate and water
13. Which element is more reactive with water: magnesium or calcium?
A) Magnesium
B) Both react the same
C) Calcium
D) Neither reacts
E) Only magnesium reacts
14. What happens to the solubility of hydroxides of alkaline earth metals down the group?
A) Decreases
B) Increases
C) Remains constant
D) First increases, then decreases
E) First decreases, then increases
15. Which of the following does NOT belong to the alkaline earth metal family?
A) Calcium
B) Magnesium
C) Rubidium
D) Strontium
E) Barium
16. What is the flame color of barium compounds in a flame test?
A) Green
B) Yellow
C) Red
D) Violet
E) Orange
17. Which alkaline earth metal is radioactive?
A) Beryllium
B) Magnesium
C) Calcium
D) Radium
E) Strontium
18. Why do alkaline earth metals form +2 cations?
A) They gain two electrons
B) They lose two valence electrons
C) They have two protons
D) They are stable as diatomic ions
E) They have high electronegativity
19. The reaction of magnesium with hydrochloric acid produces:
A) Magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen
B) Magnesium chloride and oxygen
C) Magnesium oxide and water
D) Magnesium chloride and hydrogen
E) Magnesium sulfate and hydrogen
20. Which alkaline earth metal is commonly found in chlorophyll?
A) Barium
B) Calcium
C) Strontium
D) Magnesium
E) Radium
- Questions on The Periodic Table
- Questions on Metals and Non-Metals
- Questions on Metalloids
- Questions on Hydrogen and Alkali Metals
Answers and Explanations
1. B – Beryllium
→ It is the first element in Group 2, making it an alkaline earth metal.
2. C – +2
→ These metals typically lose two electrons to form +2 cations.
3. E – Beryllium
→ It has the lowest atomic mass among alkaline earth metals.
4. C – They have two electrons in their outer shell
→ Group 2 elements have the electron configuration ns².
5. C – Reactivity with water
→ Reactivity increases down the group as electrons are lost more easily.
6. C – Group 2
→ Alkaline earth metals are in Group 2 of the periodic table.
7. D – Strontium
→ Strontium salts give off a red flame in fireworks.
8. B – Ionic compounds
→ They tend to lose electrons and form ionic bonds with nonmetals.
9. C – Calcium
→ Calcium is essential in bones and teeth.
10. A – ns²
→ The outer electron configuration ends in s².
11. C – Magnesium
→ It burns with a dazzling white flame.
12. C – Metal hydroxide and hydrogen
→ General reaction: M + 2H₂O → M(OH)₂ + H₂↑
13. C – Calcium
→ Calcium reacts more readily than magnesium with water.
14. B – Increases
→ Down the group, hydroxides become more soluble in water.
15. C – Rubidium
→ It is an alkali metal (Group 1), not Group 2.
16. A – Green
→ Barium salts give a green flame in flame tests.
17. D – Radium
→ Radium is radioactive and found at the bottom of Group 2.
18. B – They lose two valence electrons
→ To achieve noble gas configuration.
19. D – Magnesium chloride and hydrogen
→ Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂
20. D – Magnesium
→ Central to the chlorophyll molecule, vital for photosynthesis.
Share Online!
