# Magnesium, calcium and strontium are all elements in Group 2 of the periodic table. Compare the reactions of these three metals with cold water, including the appearance of the products formed.

> AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405) — 3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals · Compare · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Reactivity increases going down Group 2 (from magnesium to strontium)
2. Magnesium reacts very slowly (or barely reacts) with cold water
3. Calcium reacts steadily / more vigorously than magnesium with cold water
4. The metal hydroxide is formed as a product (e.g. calcium hydroxide / strontium hydroxide)
5. Hydrogen gas is also produced / seen as bubbles during the reaction

## Key terms

- [Group 2](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/group-2)
- [cold water](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/cold-water)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Compare" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/magnesium-calcium-and-strontium-are-all-83f015a1) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.