Arrange the following alkaline earth metals in the increasing order of their density: Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba

Step-by-step solution

The density of alkaline earth metals does not show a regular trend down the group. From Be to Ca , the density decreases because the increase in atomic volume is more prominent than the increase in atomic mass. However, from Ca to Ba , the density increases as the increase in atomic mass outweighs the increase in atomic volume. The actual densities (in g/cm ^3 ) are approximately: Be ( 1.84 ), Mg ( 1.74 ), Ca ( 1.55 ), Sr ( 2.63 ), and Ba ( 3.59 ). Therefore, the correct increasing order of density is Ca Answer: Ca