Question:medium

Identify the correct order of the given compounds against the given property:

Show Hint

Group 2: Basic strength of hydroxides increases down the group.
Updated On: Jun 6, 2026
  • $BeCl_2 < MgCl_2 < CaCl_2$ (Covalent character)
  • $CaSO_4 < SrSO_4 < BaSO_4$ (Solubility)
  • $Mg(OH)_2 < Ca(OH)_2 < Ba(OH)_2$ (Basic character)
  • $BaCO_3 < SrCO_3 < MgCO_3$ (Thermal stability)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Know the group 2 trends.
Going down group 2 (Be to Ba), the metal ions get bigger and more electropositive, so their hydroxides become more soluble and more basic.

Step 2: Check the basic character option.
For the hydroxides, basic strength rises down the group, so $Mg(OH)_2 < Ca(OH)_2 < Ba(OH)_2$ is the correct increasing order.

Step 3: Test the covalent character option.
Covalent character falls down the group (Fajans rules), so the correct order would be $CaCl_2 < MgCl_2 < BeCl_2$. The given $BeCl_2 < MgCl_2 < CaCl_2$ is reversed, so it is wrong.

Step 4: Test the solubility option.
Sulphate solubility decreases down the group, so $BaSO_4 < SrSO_4 < CaSO_4$. The given order is backwards, so it is wrong.

Step 5: Test the thermal stability option.
Carbonate thermal stability increases down the group, so $MgCO_3 < SrCO_3 < BaCO_3$. The given order is reversed, so it is wrong.

Step 6: Conclusion.
Only the basic character order is correct: $Mg(OH)_2 < Ca(OH)_2 < Ba(OH)_2$. \[ \boxed{Mg(OH)_2 < Ca(OH)_2 < Ba(OH)_2} \]
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