Question

why beryllium is different from other alkaline earth metals?

Answer 1

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HERE IS YOUR ANSWER

The group-2 of periodic table is known as alkaline earth metal. It includes Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba and Ra. Among them Be show characteristic differences in property from other group members
1)Be form covalent compounds while other member form ionic compound.
2) BeO is amphoteric in nature.
3) Be does not react with water even at high temperature.
4) Beryllium carbide reacts with water to give methane whereas carbides of other alkaline earth metals gives acetylene gas.
Be2C + 4H2O → 2Be (OH)2 + CH4

Mg2C2 + 2H2O → Mg (OH)2 + C2H2
CaC2 + 2H2O → Ca (OH)2 + C2H2

Reason for exceptional behaviour of Be is its smaller size, high effective nuclear charge, absence of d-orbital. These facts make it different from other members of alkaline earth metals.Hence sometime it is not included in group.

Answer 2

Beryllium is different from other alkaline earth metals in many characteristics.

This is due to

1.Small size of Beryllium atom
2. Be+2 ion High ionization enthalpy
3. High electronegativity 4.Absence of d-orbitals