Actually, as a materials scientist, I'd stress that the "diagonal relationship" is more about chemical behavior trends than identical properties. Lithium and magnesium show similarities in properties like the solubility of their carbonates and the thermal stability of their nitrates, which diverge from their respective group trends. My own work on ionic compounds makes me point out that their ionic radii and charge densities are key drivers of this resemblance. So for exams, focus on those comparative examples, like how both form oxides directly upon burning, unlike other alkali metals.
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