Properties of Alkaline Earth Metals

The alkaline earth metals are reactive metals that share similar properties. They are arranged together on the periodic table and have similar configurations.

List of Metals

The alkaline earth metals include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium. They include all of group 2 on the periodic table.

Appearance

Alkaline earth metals have a shiny metallic luster. They are silver white in color.

Reactivity

The alkaline earth metals are quite reactive and are not found in nature in elemental form. They often bond with other elements in rock formations.

Physical Properties

These metals are harder and more dense than salts such as potassium and sodium. They also have a higher melting point.

Chemical Properties

Alkaline earth metals have a charge of +2 because of a lack of electrons. This charge makes the metals bond more easily with other elements in a vigorous reaction.

References

• Alkaline Earth Metals