Question

Of the metals $Be$, $Mg$, $Ca$ and $Sr$ of group $2$ in the periodic table, the least ionic chloride will be formed by

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

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Beryllium halides are covalent in nature. This is due to the small size and high charge density of $B{e}^{2+}$ ion i.e., it has high polarising power. However, the halides of the other alkaline earth metals (fluorides, chlorides, bromides, and iodides) are ionic solids.