Alkaline earth

Alkaline Earth Metals

The alkaline earth metals are a group of chemical elements in the periodic table with very similar properties. They are all shiny, silvery-white, somewhat reactive metals at standard temperature and pressure and readily lose their two outermost electrons to form cations with charge +2. They are the second group in the periodic table. They include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium.

Characteristics

Alkaline earth metals have only two electrons in their outermost electron layer. Their crystal structures are similar to those of the alkali metals. Due to their high reactivity, the alkaline earth metals are commonly found in nature combined with other elements.

Occurrence

Alkaline earth metals are found in a variety of minerals. The most abundant alkaline earth metal is calcium, which is the fifth most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It is also the most abundant metal by mass in many animals.

Applications

Alkaline earth metals have many uses in the industry. For example, magnesium and calcium are often used in the manufacture of alloys. Radium was formerly used in self-luminous paints for watches, nuclear panels, aircraft switches, clocks, and instrument dials.

Health and safety

While some of the alkaline earth metals are essential for life, others can be harmful. Calcium and magnesium are both essential for living organisms, whereas beryllium and radium are both highly toxic.

See also

• Periodic table
• Chemical element
• Metal