Chapter 10 provides a focused study of the Group 2 metals from magnesium to barium, examining the trends in their physical and chemical properties and those of their compounds. The chapter illustrates how a small set of underlying principles, applied consistently across the group, can account for a wide range of chemical behaviour.

The reactions of the Group 2 elements with oxygen, water, and dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids are described and represented by equations, as are the reactions of their oxides, hydroxides and carbonates with water and dilute acids. The thermal decomposition of the nitrates and carbonates is examined, with particular attention to the trend in thermal stability across the group. The chapter also addresses the solubility patterns of the hydroxides and sulfates, noting that hydroxide solubility increases down the group while sulfate solubility decreases.