The metals of group 2 from top to bottom are Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba which of these metals will form ions more readily and why?

• As we move down to the group the atomic size increases.
• As the atomic size increases the nuclear charge decreases.
• Ba will form ions easily because electrons from the outermost shell lie further away from the nucleus so the electrons can be removed easily.
• Ionisation potential is also the lowest in the group, hence the removal of electrons is easy.