Correct order of covalent character of alkaline earth metal chloride in

Options

A. `BeCl_(2) lt MgCl_2 lt CaCl_(2) lt SrCl_(2)`
B. `BeCl_(2) lt CaCl_(2) lt SrCl_(2) lt MgCl_(2)`
C. `BeCl_(2) gt MgCl_(2) gt CaCl_(2) gt SrCl_2`
D. `SrCl_(2) gt BeCl_(2) gt CaCl_(2) gt MgCl_2`

Explanation

To determine the correct order of covalent character of alkaline earth metal chlorides (BeCl2, MgCl2, CaCl2, SrCl2), we will follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Covalent Character
Covalent character in ionic compounds is influenced by two main factors: polarizing power of the cation and polarizability of the anion.

### Step 2: Define Polarizing Power and Polarizability
- **Polarizing Power**: This refers to the ability of a cation to distort the electron cloud of an anion. It is influenced by the charge and size of the cation. Higher charge and smaller size increase polarizing power.
- **Polarizability**: This is the ability of an anion to be distorted. Larger anions are more polarizable.

### Step 3: Analyze the Alkaline Earth Metals
The alkaline earth metals in question are:
- Beryllium (Be)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Calcium (Ca)
- Strontium (Sr)

As we move down the group from Be to Sr, the size of the cations increases.

### Step 4: Compare Polarizing Power
According to the trend:
- Be has the highest polarizing power due to its small size and higher charge (+2).
- Mg has lower polarizing power than Be but higher than Ca and Sr.
- Ca has lower polarizing power than Mg.
- Sr has the lowest polarizing power due to its larger size.

Thus, the order of polarizing power from highest to lowest is:
1. Be
2. Mg
3. Ca
4. Sr

### Step 5: Determine the Order of Covalent Character
Since covalent character is directly proportional to polarizing power, the order of covalent character for the chlorides will be the same as the order of polarizing power. Therefore, the order of covalent character of alkaline earth metal chlorides is:
1. BeCl2 (most covalent character)
2. MgCl2
3. CaCl2
4. SrCl2 (least covalent character)

### Conclusion
The correct order of covalent character of alkaline earth metal chlorides is:
**BeCl2 > MgCl2 > CaCl2 > SrCl2**

### Final Answer
The correct option is C.

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