Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QJEEM23Ch1d2e: JEE Main 2023 Chemistry - Class 11 JEEM23Ch1d2e Solution: Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A…

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R

Assertion A : Beryllium has less negative value of reduction potential compared to the other alkaline earth metals.

Reason R : Beryllium has large hydration energy due to small size of Be 2+^{2+} but relatively large value of atomization enthalpy

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Multiple Choice Options

  • A Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
  • B Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
  • C A is correct but R is not correct
  • D A is not correct but R is correct

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

The most appropriate answer is Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.

Assertion A states that beryllium has a less negative value of reduction potential compared to the other alkaline earth metals. This assertion is correct, as beryllium has higher ionization energy and a smaller atomic radius than the other alkaline earth metals, which makes it more difficult to reduce Be2+ to Be metal.

Reason R provides an explanation for Assertion A. Beryllium has a relatively large value of atomization enthalpy due to the strong Be-Be bonds in the solid state, but it also has a large hydration energy due to the small size of Be2+ ions. The strong Be-Be bonds make it difficult to reduce Be2+ to Be metal, and the small size of Be2+ ions leads to a large hydration energy. This makes it energetically unfavorable to remove the Be2+ ion from the aqueous phase and reduce it to Be metal, which results in a less negative value of reduction potential for beryllium.

Therefore, both Assertion A and Reason R are correct, and Reason R provides the correct explanation for Assertion A.

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