Uses of Group 2 Elements and their Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)
Uses of Group 2 Elements and their Compounds
Uses of Group 2 Elements
Titanium Metal Extraction
- Magnesium metal is used to extract titanium from TiCl4. Titanium (IV) oxide is the main ore of titanium and it is converted to titanium (IV) chloride (TiCl4) when it is heated in a chlorine gas with carbon.
- Once purified, titanium chloride is reduced by magnesium to extract the titanium. Fractional distillation is used to purify the titanium chloride. The pure titanium chloride is then reduced in a furnace at a very high temperature (around 1000°C).
Acid Neutralisation
- Compounds of Group 2 elements are used to neutralise acidic conditions. As group 2 elements are alkaline earth metals, they neutralise acids when they react with them.
- Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 is used in agriculture. Calcium hydroxide is also known as slaked lime and it is used to neutralise acidic soils to encourage to growth of plants.
- Magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2 is used in medicine. Some indigestion tablets use magnesium hydroxide an an antacid which means that it is used to neutralise excess stomach acid.
Sulfur Dioxide Removal
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an air pollutant released from the burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur dioxide is a gas produced when fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity which contributes to acid rain and must be removed
- Wet scrubbing is a process used to remove sulphur dioxide from flue gases. A glue gas is a gas that is released from the chimneys and exhausts of factories that burn fossil fuels.
- Powdered Calcium oxide (CaO) or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can both be used to remove sulfur dioxide. Both calcium oxide (lime) and calcium carbonate (limestone) are alkaline substances that can be used to remove the acidic sulfur dioxide from flue gases.
- A slurry is made of a combination of calcium oxide or calcium carbonate and water. A slurry is a thin and viscous fluid mixture and it is sprayed onto the flue gases where the sulphur dioxide reacts with it to produce calcium sulfite (a solid waste product).
X-Rays
- X-rays usually pass through soft tissues like the digestive system. Xrays are generally used to diagnose problems with bones and as they are hard tissues they come up on x-rays.
- Barium sulfate (BaSO4) is used in X-rays in medicine. Barium sulphate can be used in X-rays as it is opaque to x-rays meaning that the rays won’t pass through it. A patient would be asked to swallow a barium meal which contains barium sulphate. The tissues of the oesophagus, stomach or intestines will be coated by the barium sulphate and these tissues will therefore appear on x-rays.
FAQs
Group 2 elements are elements in the periodic table that are part of the alkaline earth metal group. They include beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra).
Group 2 elements have a wide range of uses in various industries and applications. Some common uses include:
Magnesium: used in the production of aluminum alloys, fireworks, and flares
Calcium: used in the production of cement, fertilizers, and food additives
Strontium: used in the production of flares and fireworks, and for studying ocean currents
Barium: used in the production of oil and gas drilling fluids, and for medical imaging
Group 2 compounds are compounds that contain one or more Group 2 elements. Some common Group 2 compounds and their uses include:
Magnesium oxide (MgO): used in the production of refractory materials, fireproofing agents, and feed additives
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3): used in the production of limestone, marble, and chalk, and as a food additive
Strontium carbonate (SrCO3): used in the production of color television tubes and fireworks
Barium sulfate (BaSO4): used in the medical field for diagnostic imaging and as a weighting agent in drilling fluids
Group 2 elements and compounds have several unique properties that make them useful in a wide range of applications. Some of these properties include:
High reactivity: Group 2 elements are highly reactive and readily form compounds with other elements
Solubility: many Group 2 compounds are highly soluble in water, making them useful in various industrial and medical applications
Low toxicity: many Group 2 compounds are relatively non-toxic, making them safe for use in various industries and applications
Group 2 elements and compounds can be produced through various chemical reactions and processes. For example, magnesium can be produced by electrolysis of magnesium chloride, while calcium carbonate can be produced through the reaction of calcium oxide with carbon dioxide.
While many Group 2 elements and compounds are relatively safe, some can be harmful if handled or used improperly. For example, radium is a highly radioactive element that can cause cancer, while barium sulfate can be harmful if ingested in large quantities. It is important to follow proper safety procedures and guidelines when handling or using Group 2 elements and compounds.
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