The Alkaline Earth Metals

• The metals in group 2 are known as the alkaline earth metals.

• Alkaline earth metals have the following properties:

• They are silver-white metals.

• They have relatively low densities.

• They have relatively low melting and boiling points.

• They are reactive (although not as reactive as alkali metals).

• They have two valence electrons, which they lose to form ions with a charge of +2.

• All except with beryllium react with water to form strong alkalis (basic solutions) and hydrogen gas.

• They form similar white salts when reacting with group 17 elements.

The metals in group 2 are known as the alkaline earth metals.