Question

Which of the following statements is correct regarding alkaline earth metals?

• A. Alkaline earth metals are weaker reducing agents than alkali metals.
• B. Alkaline earth metal salts are paramagnetic in nature.
• C. Alkaline earth metal salts are more soluble than corresponding alkali metal salts.
• D. Solubility of sulphates of alkaline earth metals increases from top to bottom in the group.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Alkaline earth metals are weaker reducing agents than alkali metals.

The alkaline earth metals have fully filled s-subshell occupied by two electrons. They show diamagnetic property and require greater ionisation potential to remove the loosely bounded electron from isolated gaseous atom to form gaseous alkaline earth metal cation as compared to alkali metal cations.

Hence, alkaline earth metals are weaker reducing agents than alkali metals.

Hence, the correct option is $\text{A}$