Chemistry - Complete s-block Question with Solution | TestHub

The hydroxides of alkali meals and highly soluble and more basic than the hydroxides of alkaline earth metals. This increase in concentration of ${\mathrm{OH}}^{-}$due to higher solubility increases the corrosiveness of alkalimetal hydroxides. Anhydrous Mg and Ca sulphates, $\mathrm{CaO},{\mathrm{CaH}}_2,{\mathrm{CaCl}}_2$ etc can be used as drying agents. Due to small size and more number of charges the $M{g}^{2+}$ and ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{2+}$ ions have more affinity to water. They remove water either by absorbing or by reactions. Alkali metals have considerable electron affinities. Though they have less tendency they can form anion like sodideion ${\mathrm{Na}}^{-}$. Absorption of $CO\&C{O}_2$ by ${\mathrm{KO}}_2$ and releasing ${\mathrm{O}}_2$ is substitution but not redox reaction.