Why melting point of alkali metals are low as compared to alkaline earth metals?
1 Answer
Sep 25, 2017
Well, for one, consider the nuclear charge, i.e.
Explanation:
Necessarily, the atomic number of the alkaline earths is ONE greater than the atomic number of the alkali metal in the same Period. It is well known that atomic radius decreases across the Period (looking at the Table from left to right), whereas atomic size INCREASES down a Group, a column of the Periodic Table.
Metallic bonding should be correspondingly greater for the alkaline earths, as compared to the alkali metals. And in fact this is reflected in their respective melting points....
Do the data reported in the diagram support what has been argued? Why or why not?
