Question

$Be,Mg,Ca,Sr,Ba$ are group 2 metals. Which of these will form ions most readily?

• A. $Be$
• B. $Mg$
• C. $Sr$
• D. $Ba$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $Ba$

The given elements belong to $IIA$ group and they form cations by losing the electrons as they are metals. An atom lose the electrons readily when it is having less ionization energy so as these elements belong to the same group so the ionization energy will decrease from $Be$ to $Ba$ ($IE$ will decrease from top to bottom in a group) so $Ba$ from ion most readily. And the order of ionization is $Be>Mg>Ca>Sr>Ba$.
Hence option $D$ is correct.