Which of the following statements is correct regarding alkaline earth metals?

Options

A. Alkaline earth meals are weaker reducing agents than alkali metals
B. Alkaline earth metal salts are paramagnetic in nature
C. Alkaline earth metal salts are more soluble than corresponding alkali meal salts.
D. solubility of sulphates of alkaline earth metals increases from top to bottom in the group

Answer

To determine which of the statements regarding alkaline earth metals is correct, we will analyze each option one by one based on our knowledge of alkaline earth metals and their properties.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Alkaline Earth Metals**:
- Alkaline earth metals belong to Group 2 of the periodic table, which includes beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba).
- They have the general electronic configuration of \(ns^2\), where \(n\) is the principal quantum number.

2. **Analyzing Option 1**:
- **Statement**: "Alkaline earth metals are weaker reducing agents than alkali metals."
- **Explanation**: Alkali metals (Group 1) have a configuration of \(ns^1\), making it easier for them to lose their single valence electron. In contrast, alkaline earth metals, with their \(ns^2\) configuration, are less willing to lose both electrons, making them weaker reducing agents.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **correct**.

3. **Analyzing Option 2**:
- **Statement**: "Alkaline earth metal salts are paramagnetic in nature."
- **Explanation**: Paramagnetism arises from unpaired electrons. Alkaline earth metals have an \(ns^2\) configuration, meaning all their electrons are paired. Thus, their salts are **diamagnetic**, not paramagnetic.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **incorrect**.

4. **Analyzing Option 3**:
- **Statement**: "Alkaline earth metal salts are more soluble than corresponding alkali metal salts."
- **Explanation**: Generally, alkali metal salts are more soluble than alkaline earth metal salts due to the lower charge density and the ability of alkali metals to easily lose their valence electron, leading to better solvation.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **incorrect**.

5. **Analyzing Option 4**:
- **Statement**: "Solubilities of sulfates of alkaline earth metals increase from top to bottom in the group."
- **Explanation**: The solubility of sulfates of alkaline earth metals actually **decreases** from beryllium to barium. This is due to the increasing lattice energy of the sulfates as the size of the metal cation increases, making them less soluble.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **incorrect**.

### Final Answer:
The only correct statement regarding alkaline earth metals is **Option 1**: "Alkaline earth metals are weaker reducing agents than alkali metals."