Conclusion: The correct answer is 2.
Ion having highest hydration enthalpy among the given alkaline earth metal ions is:


In the first configuration (1) as shown in the figure, four identical charges \( q_0 \) are kept at the corners A, B, C and D of square of side length \( a \). In the second configuration (2), the same charges are shifted to mid points C, E, H, and F of the square. If \( K = \frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_0} \), the difference between the potential energies of configuration (2) and (1) is given by:
Group one of alkali metals is s-block elements with just one electron in their s-orbital. They are are alkali metals. They are named so because of the alkaline nature of the hydroxides and oxides.
Alkali metals are characterized by one s-electron in the valence shell of their atoms.
Alkali metals have a corresponding [Noble gas] ns1 electronic configuration. They occupy the first column of the periodic table. Alkali elements are:
They have occupied successive periods from first to seven. Francium is a radioactive element with very low half-life.
This makes them the most electropositive elements and due to the same reason, they are not found in the pure state.