Question

calcium and strontium are close to one another on thw oeriodic table. what do you know about their ionization energies ,their electron configurations and their charasteristics based on their position in the periodic table?

Answer 1

Both Ca and Sr are in Group 2 of the Periodic Table, with Sr below Ca (see image)..

Ionization energies

They are both metals, so they have relatively low ionization energies.

Sr is below Ca in the Group, so Sr has the lower ionization energy.

Electron configurations

Their electron configurations both end in ns².

For example, the electron configuration of Ca is [Kr]4s² and that of Sr is [Kr]5s².

Physical chsrscteristics:

• metallic lustre
• malleable
• ductile
• good conductors of heat and electricity

Chemical characteristics

Both metals react with

• Hydrogen to form hydrides: M + H₂ ⟶ MH₂

• Oxygen to form oxides: 2M + O₂ ⟶ 2MO

• Nitrogen to form nitrides: 3M + N₂ ⟶ M₃N₂

• Halogens to form halides: M + X₂ ⟶ MX₂

• Water to displace hydrogen: M + 2H₂O ⟶ M(OH)₂ + H₂