Question

Alkaline earth metals show +1 Oxidation state and their atomic volume ______ down the group.

a)is irregular
b)decrease
c)increase
d)do not change

Answer 1

The alkaline earth metals show a +2 oxidation state and their atomic volume increases as you move down the group due to the addition of electron shells. Therefore, the correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The alkaline earth metals typically show a +2 oxidation state, not +1 as the question suggests. However, to address the trend for atomic volume as you descend the group, the atomic radius and thus atomic volume increase down the group.

This occurs as each successive element has an additional electron shell, placing the outer electrons further from the nucleus, which results in a decreased attraction between the nucleus and the outer electrons and an overall increase in the atomic radius and volume of the atom.