Alkaline-earth metals are used as components in specialty alloys
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Atomic Structure and Properties · Atomic Structure and Properties
Problem
Alkaline-earth metals are used as components in specialty alloys. Consider three members of this family: Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), and Barium (Ba).
(a) Rank the three atoms in order of increasing atomic radius.
Express your answer in the form: smallest < intermediate < largest.
(b) Predict which of the three atoms has the highest second ionization energy and justify your choice in terms of electron configuration and periodic trends.
(c) Explain why the trend in atomic radius you stated in part (a) is consistent with the trend in effective nuclear charge down the group.