Short Answer TypeThe alkaline earth metals are denser and harder than the corresponding alkali metals. Explain ?
What is the trend of atomic and ionic radii of alkaline earth metals within the group?
The atomic and ionic radii of alkaline earth metals are smaller than those of the corresponding alkali metals. Explain.
How will you explain that alkaline earth metals have much higher melting and boiling points than those of alkali metals?
The first ionisation enthalpies of alkaline earth metals are higher than those of corresponding alkali metals. Explain.
Second ionisation enthalpies of alkali metals are much higher than those of the alkaline earth metals. Explain.
Alkali metals have only one valence electron, while alkaline earth metals have two valence electrons. After the removal of one electron from alkali metals, they form M+which is a stable noble gas configuration. Removal of another electron from the unipositive ion of alkali metal, therefore, would require a very large amount of enthalpy.
On the other hand, after the removal of one electron from alkaline earth metals, they do not acquire stable noble gas configuration and still have a tendency to lose another electron. As a result, the second ionisation enthalpies of alkali metals are much higher than those of the alkaline earth metal.
How will you explain the electropositive or metallic character of alkaline earth metals?
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