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The Periodic Table

The Alkaline Earth Metals  -  Reaction with water.

1)  Magnesium.

Magnesium will not react with cold water.
Even finely powdered magnesium reacts only very slowly.

Magnesium will react with gaseous water (steam)
to form magnesium oxide and hydrogen.

magnesium + steam  magnesium oxide     +   hydrogen.
Mg_(s)    +    H₂O_(g)              MgO_(s)         +         H_2(g)

Magnesium oxide is a base. It will not dissolve in water.

2)  Calcium.

Calcium (and the metals below calcium in group 2) will react with cold water.
They will sink as they react, unlike the group 1 metals which float.

calcium + water     calcium hydroxide  +  hydrogen.
Ca_(s) +  2H₂O_(l)            Ca(OH)_2(s)        +        H_2(g)

Calcium hydroxide is called slaked lime
and will dissolve a little in water to form lime water (see previous page).

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