Alkaline earth metals are less electropositive than the alkali metals. Explain.
Alkaline earth metals are less electropositive because of the smaller size and higher ionisation enthalpies of alkaline earth metals as compared to alkali metals.
Beryllium and magnesium do not give colour to flame whereas other alkaline earth metals do so. Why?
Comment on each of the following observations:
(where M = Ca, Sr or Ba) is nearly constant.
Explain why alkaline earth metals are poor reducing agents as compared to alkali metals.
Explain the trend of solubility of carbonate, sulphates and hydroxides of alkaline earth metals ?
Account for the following:
(i) Be(OH)2 is amphoteric while Mg(OH)2 is basic.
(ii) Be(OH)2 is insoluble but Ba(OH)2 is fairly soluble in water.