Group 2: past paper questions

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• Question 19May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which reaction produces the smallest total number of moles of gas?

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The trends seen in Group 2 can be used to predict the properties of radium and its compounds.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  In this question Q is used to represent a halogen atom. Magnesium and calcium each form a compound with chlorine and a compound with bromine.

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row correctly describes the separate reactions of calcium and strontium with water?

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• Question 20May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Barium reacts with water to produce a colourless solution, V.

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• Question 20Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Equal masses of ${\text{CaCO}}_3$, ${\text{Ca(NO}}_3{)}_2$, ${\text{BaCO}}_3$ and ${\text{Ba(NO}}_3{)}_2$ are thermally decomposed. The volume of gas produced in each experiment is measured under the same conditions. Which compound will produce the greatest volume of gas?

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  V and W are two compounds. Each one contains a different Group 2 element. A sample of each solid is added to water, shaken, and the pH of the resulting solution is measured.

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• Question 20Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  L and M are both compounds of Group 2 elements. L and M are both soluble in water. When solutions of L and M are mixed, a white precipitate is formed.

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• Question 20May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  When calcium nitrate thermally decomposes, oxygen is one of the products. Which volume of oxygen is produced at room conditions when $0.50\text{ mol}$ of calcium nitrate thermally decomposes?

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  When heated, magnesium nitrate decomposes. Which equation for the thermal decomposition of magnesium nitrate is correct?

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• Question 20Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound L decomposes on heating. One of the products is gas M. M reacts with unburned hydrocarbons to form peroxyacetyl nitrate, PAN. What could be the formula of L?

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• Question 21May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Two $0.20\text{ g}$ samples of different Group 2 compounds are each shaken with $10{\text{ cm}}^3$ of water in separate test-tubes. Which pair of compounds form clear solutions and then become cloudy when mixed together?

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• Question 20Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  $\text{R}$ is the aqueous solution of an ionic compound. ● A white precipitate is formed when $\text{R}$ is added to ${\text{Sr(NO}}_3{)}_2(\text{aq})$. ● No visible reaction is seen when $\text{R}$ is added to dilute ${\text{HNO}}_3(\text{aq})$.

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• Question 20Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  X is a Group 2 element in either Period 3 or Period 5. ${\mathrm{X}(\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H})}_2$ is less soluble in water than ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{a}(\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H})}_2$. When ${\mathrm{X}(\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_3{)}_2$ is heated, it decomposes.

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• Question 21Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What happens when a piece of magnesium ribbon is placed in cold water?

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• Question 18May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement explains the relative reactivities of calcium and strontium with hydrochloric acid?

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• Question 21Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement comparing magnesium and barium, or their compounds, is correct?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table gives some data for compounds of two elements from Group 2 of the Periodic Table.

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• Question 19May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  When hydrated magnesium nitrate, ${\text{Mg(NO}}_3{)}_2\cdot 7{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$, is heated, which three gases are given off?

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• Question 23Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Q is a mixture of two compounds of Group 2 elements. Q undergoes thermal decomposition to produce a white solid and only two gaseous products. One of the gaseous products relights a glowing splint.

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• Question 20May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Trends are seen in the physical and chemical properties of the elements of Group 2 and their compounds. Which property shows an increase from magnesium to barium?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  The Period 3 elements show trends in physical and chemical properties across the period.

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  V and W are two compounds. Each one contains a different Group 2 element.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured7 marks

  Magnesium nitrate, $\mathrm{M}\mathrm{g}(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_3{)}_2$, and strontium nitrate, $\mathrm{S}\mathrm{r}(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_3{)}_2$, both decompose when heated to form the metal oxide and a mixture of gases. Write an equation for the thermal decomposition of $\mathrm{M}\mathrm{g}(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_3{)}_2$.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured20 marksHas a diagram

  The Group 14 elements show a change from non-metallic to metallic character down the group.

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• Question 21May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Radium is an element below barium in Group 2 of the Periodic Table. Which equation shows what happens when solid radium nitrate, $\text{Ra}({\text{NO}}_3{)}_2$, is heated strongly?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured19 marksHas a diagram

  Nitrogen and phosphorus are elements in Group 15 of the Periodic Table. Nitrogen is found in inorganic compounds such as nitrogen oxides (${\text{NO}}_x$), nitrates and nitric acid. Identify one natural and one man-made occurrence of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Barium hydroxide, $\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}(\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}{)}_2$, is a strong base used in inorganic and organic reactions. Fig. 2.1 shows a reaction scheme involving $\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}(\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}{)}_2$. State the variation in solubilities of group 2 hydroxides.

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• Question 23May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Each mineral listed behaves as a mixture of two carbonate compounds. They can be used as fire retardants because they decompose in the heat, producing ${\text{CO}}_2$. This gas smothers the fire.

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• Question 19May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  All solubility data in this question is given at the same temperature. The table gives some data for compounds of calcium and for compounds of X, an unidentified element in Group 2.

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