uses of group 2 elements and their compounds

How is magnesium used and why

Used in the extraction of titanium

Titanium is useful - marine and motor vehicle industries (high corrosion resistance)

Titanium is hard to extract and carbon could be used to remove it from its oxide but it forms a brittle carbide

How is titanium extracted

Titanium oxide is initially converted to the chloride and is added with magnesium to be reduced to titanium

How is magnesium hydroxide used and what does the product help with

Magnesium hydroxide is sparingly soluble

Sold as a suspension in water (known as milk of magnesia)

Taken to help with constipation and neutralises excess acid in gut

Used as the solution are only slightly alkaline due to its low solubility so dont irritate the oesophagus

What is calcium hydroxide in its solid form known as and how is that used

Slaked lime

Used to neutralise acidic soil.

Needed to reduce black spot on leaves or curling and increases availability of important nutrients

Also improves soil teture

How is calcium oxide used

Neutralise sulfur dioxide which may be a by product of combustion of fossils fuels in order to prevent acid rain formation.

Calcium carbonate can also be used

How is barium sulfate used

Part of a barium meal

Good at absorbing x rays

Barium ions are toxic but this is harmless because barium sulfate is insoluble and isn’t absorbed into the blood.