Increases as you go down the group because of increased electron shielding and weaker attraction to nucleus.
Melting point
Decreases as you go down the group because they are metallic. The attractive forces decrease as they have to act over a larger distance as the electrons are further from the nucleus ( bigger ionic radius)
Reactions with water:
( Replacing and G2 metal with Mg)
Magnesium with steam
Reacts quickly with steam. Burns with a bright white flame to create Magnesium Oxide and Hydrogen
Group 2Hydroxides
Solubility increases down the group with Magnesium Hydroxide being insoluble and Barium Hydroxide being the most soluble
Magnesium Hydroxide used as an antacid
Group 2Sulfates
Solubility decreases down the group. Magnesium Sulfate is the most soluble and Barium Sulfate is insoluble
Barium Sulfate used as barium meal to see internal tissues, it is toxic if enters bloodstream but is insoluble so can not be absorbed
To test for sulfate ions Barium Chloride can be used, a white precipitate is formed when sulfate ions are present
Extraction of Titanium
Magnesium is used in the extraction of Titanium via displacement reaction
Test for sulfate ions
Barium Chloride- forms a whiteprecipitate when sulfate ions are present