question_answer 1)

  Metals form basic hydroxides. Which of the following metal hydroxides is the least basic? (a) \[Mg{{(OH)}_{2}}\]                   (b)\[Ca{{(OH)}_{2}}\]                     (c) \[Sr{{(OH)}_{2}}\]                      (d) \[Ba{{(OH)}_{2}}\]

Answer:

  (a) The basic nature increases from Be to Ba in group 2. The basic strength increases gradually as the bond M-O is weak and breaks easily to furnish \[O{{H}^{-}}\] ions. In the given hydroxides, \[Mg{{(OH)}_{2}}\] is the weakest.