Question

Which alkaline earth metal has the largest atomic radius?

Answer 1

1. Alkaline Earth metals are the group 2 elements comprising Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium, Barium, and Radium.
2. The atomic radius is the total distance from the atom's nucleus to the electron in the outermost orbital.
3. The atomic radius of alkaline earth metals is smaller than that of corresponding alkali metals in the same period due to the increased nuclear charge.
4. But within the group, the atomic radius increases with an increase in atomic number.
5. Hence, it is the highest for Radium and lowest for Beryllium.