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Among the group-2 alkaline earth metals Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, why does beryllium fail to react with water while barium reacts readily?
AReactivity increases down the group as electrons are lost more easily
BReactivity decreases down the group as the atoms get smaller
CBeryllium has more valence electrons than barium
DBarium lies higher in the group than beryllium
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Reactivity increases down the group as electrons are lost more easily
1. Going down group 2, a new shell is added and atomic size grows.
2. The valence electrons are held more loosely, so they are lost more easily.
3. Easier electron loss means higher reactivity, so Ba reacts faster than Be.
4. Rule out B: atoms get larger down a group, not smaller.
5. Rule out C: all group-2 atoms share 2 valence electrons.
6. Rule out D: beryllium is at the top, barium near the bottom.
_Source: Balbharati (Maharashtra Board) Class 10 Science & Technology, Ch 2 "Periodic Classification of Elements", p.37_
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