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Alkaline Earth Metals (11 things)

A) Larger atomic size than alkali metals, low reactivity, form 1+ ions
B) Smaller atomic size than alkali metals, high reactivity, form 1- ions
C) Larger atomic size than alkali metals, high reactivity, form 2+ ions
D) Smaller atomic size than alkali metals, low reactivity, form 2- ions

User Sunil Tc
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

Alkaline earth metals have a larger atomic size compared to alkali metals, but are less reactive and form 2+ ions. They are part of group 2, which includes beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. These metals react to form alkaline solutions and exhibit a characteristic alkaline earth property. Option C is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct option describing the alkaline earth metals is C) Larger atomic size than alkali metals, high reactivity, form 2+ ions. These metals belong to group 2 of the periodic table, including beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. The statement mirrors the characteristics of the alkaline earth metals, emphasizing their significant, albeit lesser reactivity compared to the alkali metals (group 1) and their common 2+ oxidation state due to losing two valence electrons during chemical reactions.

Alkaline earth metals often react with water to form alkaline solutions, and their reactivity tends to increase as their atomic size grows within the group.

Contrary to the alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals have higher first ionization energies and smaller atomic sizes within the same period. This is because there is an increase in nuclear charge from group 1 to group 2. Moreover, while radium is technically an alkaline earth metal, it is notably unstable and highly radioactive compared to the other alkaline earth metals.

User Cproinger
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Final answer:

Alkaline Earth Metals are Larger atomic size than alkali metals, high reactivity, form 2+ ions. So,the correct answer is option C, indicating that alkaline earth metals have a smaller atomic size than alkali metals, high reactivity, and they form 2+ ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The alkaline earth metals include beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra) which are part of group 2 of the periodic table. Option C is correct because alkaline earth metals have atomic sizes that are smaller than the alkali metals and high reactivity, though less than alkali metals.

They form 2+ ions due to the loss of both valence electrons in chemical reactions, resulting in compounds with an oxidation state of 2+. This high reactivity increases with increasing atomic size and decreasing ionization energy as you move down the group. Despite being quite reactive, they are still less reactive than the alkali metals, which are located in group 1 of the periodic table.

Hence, the answer is option C.

User Jdelange
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