A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

Alkaline Earth

Metals

Be

Ca

Mg

Ba

Sr

Ra

Atomic structure

The alkaline earth metals

have two electrons in their

outermost electron shell.

Radium (Ra) is the most

radioactive member.

Physical properties

All members of this

group are soft and

shiny when pure. They

are solid at room

temperature.

Chemical properties

These metals are similar to

the alkali metals, but not as

reactive. Except for beryllium

(Be), all alkaline earth metals

react with hot water or steam.

This group is a collection of reactive metals that were discovered as compounds

inside common minerals in Earth’s crust. Most of these minerals – known

in the past as “earths” – are alkaline (alkali-producing), and this is how the group

got its name. All alkaline earth metals were first purified in the 19th century.

Compounds

These elements form

compounds with non-metals

by losing their outermost

electrons. Several compounds

are found in teeth and bones.

Barium (Ba)
crystals turn
black in air.

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