Question

Explain: Diagonal relationship in group 1 and group 2.

Answer 1

• Elements belonging to the same group are expected to exhibit similarity and gradation in their properties.
• However, first alkali metal, lithium, and the first alkaline earth metal, beryllium, do not fulfil this expectation.
• Thus, lithium shows many differences when compared with the remaining alkali metals and shows similarity with magnesium, the second alkaline earth metal.
• Similarly, beryllium shows many differences with remaining alkaline earth metals and shows similarity with aluminium, the second element of the next main group i.e., group 13.
• The relative placement of these elements with similar properties in the periodic table is across a diagonal and thus, it is called diagonal relationship.