HEADING TO GROUP TWO

Alakline earth metals in the periodic table

So we just covered the alkali metals in Group I. You will find the alkaline earth metals right next door in Group II. This is the second most reactive family of elements in the periodic table. Did you know why they are called alkaline? When these compounds are mixed in solutions, they are likely to form solutions with a pH greater than 7. Those pH levels are defined as 'basic' or 'alkaline' solutions.

A FAMILY PORTRAIT

Who's in the family? The members of the alkaline earth metals include: beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and radium (Ra). As with all families, these elements share traits. While not as reactive as the alkali metals, this family knows how to make bonds very easily. Each of them has two electrons in their outer shells. They are ready to give up those two electrons in electrovalent bonds. Sometimes you will see them with two halogen atoms (BeF₂) and sometimes they might form a double bond (CaO). It's all about giving up those electrons to have a full outer shell.

As you get to the bottom of the list, you will find the radioactive radium (Ra). While radium is not found around your house anymore, it used to be used in glow-in-the-dark paints. The other elements are found in many items including fireworks, batteries, flashbulbs, and special alloys. The lighter alkaline earth metals such as magnesium and calcium are very important in animal and plant physiology. You all know that calcium helps build your bones.

RELATED LINKS

- Biology4Kids: Scientific Method
- Geography4Kids: Element Cycles
- Geography4Kids: Biosphere
- Physics4Kids: Radioactivity

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