Question

What is the least reactive Alkaline Earth Metal?

Answer 1

Alkaline earth metal:

• The oxides and hydroxides of group 2 elements are strongly alkaline in nature and their oxides are found in the earth's crust.
• So, group 2 elements in the periodic table are known as alkaline earth metals.

Least reactive alkaline earth metal:

• Beryllium$\left(\mathrm{Be}\right)$ is the least reactive alkaline earth metal because as we move from top to bottom in a group the reactivity increases.
• The increase in reactivity is due to the reason that as we move down in a group the size of the atom increase, due to which the force of attraction between the nucleus and valence electron decreases as we move down.
• So, the metallic character decreases down the group.
• As Beryllium is the top element of group 2 So it becomes the least reactive.
• Beryllium is the only alkaline earth metal that does not react with water or steam.