Which of the following properties of the alkaline earth metals increase from Be to Ba? (i) Atomic ra — Periodic Table and Periodicity Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Consider the electronic configuration of Sodium (Na, Z=11): [Ne] 3s1. Step 2: Removing the first electron requires relatively low energy (IE1) to produce Na+ with a highly stable noble gas configuration [Ne] (1s2 2s2 2p6). Step 3: To remove a second electron to form Na2+, we must break into this exceptionally stable, fully-filled shell. This requires a very high amount of energy (extremely high second ionization potential), preventing Sodium from showing a +2 state.