Page 3 - Microsoft Word - Module-3

 Ca, Sr and Ba are readily attacked by air to form the

oxide and nitride.

Reactivity towards the halogen:

M + X →MX (M→ alkaline earth metal, X=F, Cl, Br, I)

2
2
଺଴଴௞ି଼଴଴௞
BeO + C + Cl BeCl +CO
2
2
Reactivity towards hydrogen:

Elements except Be combine with hydrogen upon

heating to form their hydrides, MH
2.

BeCI + LiAlH  2BeH + LiCI + AlCl
4
2
2
3
Reactivity towards acids:

Reacts with acids liberating H gas.
2

M + 2HCl → MCl +H
2
2
Reducing nature:

Alkaline earth metals are strong reducing agent. This is

due large negative values of their reduction potential.

Their reducing power is less than those of corresponding

alkali metals.