Magnesium strip slowly tarnishes on keeping in air but metallic calcium is readily attacked by air. Explain.
Magnesium strip slowly tarnishes on keeping in air but metallic calcium is readily attacked by air. Explain.
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- The reactivity of group 2 metals increases with increasing atomic radius and lowering of ionization enthalpy down the groups.
- Thus, calcium has lower ionization enthalpy. Therefore, calcium is more reactive than magnesium.
- Hence, Mg reacts slowly with air forming a thin film of oxide resulting into tarnishing, whereas Ca reacts readily at room temperature with oxygen and nitrogen in the air.
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