Page 39 - The Periodic Table Book

Be

Mg

Ca

Sr

Ba

Ra

Barium (Ba)
crystals turn Alkaline Earth
black in air.

Metals

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.

Atomic structure Physical properties Chemical properties Compounds
The alkaline earth metals All members of this These metals are similar to These elements form
have two electrons in their group are soft and the alkali metals, but not as compounds with non-metals
outermost electron shell. shiny when pure. They reactive. Except for beryllium by losing their outermost
Radium (Ra) is the most are solid at room (Be), all alkaline earth metals electrons. Several compounds
radioactive member. temperature. react with hot water or steam. are found in teeth and bones.

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