Students should be able to:
1.6a recall the characteristic physical properties of the elements
1.6b recall the characteristic flame colours produced by cations. Use this information in analysis (paper 3B only) and understand that the flame colours arise from electronic transitions within the cation.
1.6c understand the trends in ionisation energies of the elements in both groups
1.6d recall the reactions of the elements of Group 1 with oxygen, chlorine and water
• to include their reaction to produce peroxides and superoxides
1.6e recall the reaction of the elements of Group 2 with oxygen, chlorine and water
• limited to the formation of simple oxides only
1.6f recall the reactions of the oxides of Groups 1 and 2 with water and dilute acid
1.6g recall that the oxidation numbers of elements in Groups 1 and 2 in their compounds are +1 and +2 respectively
1.6h recall the trends in solubility of the sulphates and hydroxides of Group 2 elements
• an explanation of these trends is not required
1.6i recall the trends in thermal stability of the nitrates and carbonates of the elements in
Groups 1 and 2; relate these to the sizes and charges of the cations involved.
• see Topic 1.3b,ii