Lesson 4A.1

4A.1 Group 1 and 2 trends, reactions and flame colours Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Chemistry, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4A.1, Group 1 and 2 trends, reactions and flame colours: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Chemistry (9CH0), Unit 4: Inorganic Chemistry and the Periodic Table, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which factor causes the first ionisation energy to decrease down Group 2?

    • Increased nuclear charge
    • Decreased shielding
    • Increased electronegativity
    • Increased atomic radius

  2. Why does the reactivity of Group 2 elements increase down the group?

    • Ionisation energy increases
    • Electronegativity increases
    • Ionisation energy decreases
    • Atomic radius decreases

  3. What is the product when magnesium burns in oxygen?

    • Magnesium oxide, MgO
    • Magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2
    • Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3
    • Magnesium peroxide, MgO2

  4. What is the balanced equation for the reaction of calcium with water?

    • Ca + H2O -> CaO + H2
    • 2Ca + 2H2O -> 2CaOH + H2
    • Ca + 2H2O -> Ca(OH)2 + H2
    • Ca + 2H2O -> Ca(OH)2

  5. What main product forms when calcium oxide reacts with water?

    • Calcium nitrate
    • Calcium hydroxide
    • Calcium carbonate
    • Calcium hydride

  6. Which is the correct equation for magnesium oxide reacting with dilute hydrochloric acid?

    • MgO + 2HCl -> MgCl2 + H2
    • MgO + 2HCl -> MgCl2 + H2O
    • MgO + HCl -> MgCl + H2O
    • MgO + HCl -> MgCl2 + H2O2

  7. Which Group 2 hydroxide is the most soluble in water?

    • Barium hydroxide
    • Beryllium hydroxide
    • Magnesium hydroxide
    • Calcium hydroxide

  8. How does the solubility of Group 2 sulfates change down the group?

    • Remains constant
    • Increases
    • Fluctuates
    • Decreases

  9. What causes the thermal stability of Group 2 carbonates to increase down the group?

    • Decreased ionic radius
    • Higher lattice enthalpy
    • Lower cation polarising power
    • Increased anion charge

  10. Which products form when magnesium carbonate is heated?

    • MgO and CO2
    • Mg and CO2
    • Mg and O2
    • MgO and O2

  11. Which equation shows the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate?

    • CaCO3 -> Ca(OH)2 + CO2
    • CaCO3 -> Ca + CO2 + O2
    • CaCO3 -> CaO + CO2
    • CaCO3 -> CaO2 + CO

  12. What flame colour is produced by barium compounds?

    • Lilac
    • Apple green
    • Brick red
    • Crimson red

  13. Which Group 1 metal gives a yellow-orange flame colour?

    • Sodium
    • Lithium
    • Potassium
    • Caesium

  14. Flame colours are emitted when excited electrons move to where?

    • Nucleus
    • Lower energy levels
    • Outer orbitals
    • Higher energy levels

  15. Which Group 2 ion gives a brick red flame?

    • Magnesium, Mg2+
    • Barium, Ba2+
    • Calcium, Ca2+
    • Beryllium, Be2+

  16. Which Group 2 metal reacts most vigorously with cold water?

    • Barium
    • Magnesium
    • Beryllium
    • Calcium

  17. What is the formula of the product formed when magnesium reacts with chlorine?

    • MgCl3
    • MgCl
    • MgCl2
    • Mg2Cl

  18. Down Group 2 hydroxides, which enthalpy term decreases more rapidly to increase solubility?

    • Lattice enthalpy
    • Ionisation energy
    • Hydration enthalpy
    • Bond enthalpy

  19. Which compound decomposes on heating to produce a metal oxide, NO2 and O2?

    • Potassium nitrate
    • Calcium nitrate
    • Sodium carbonate
    • Sodium nitrate

  20. Why is magnesium less reactive than calcium?

    • Higher ionisation energy
    • Greater electron shielding
    • Lower ionisation energy
    • Larger atomic radius

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