Alkaline earth metals
Alkaline Earth Metals
Alkaline earth metals are a group of chemical elements in the second column (or Group 2) of the periodic table. They include beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra).
Pronunciation
Alkaline: /ˈalkəˌlīn/ Earth Metals: /ɜrθ ˈmetl̩z/
Etymology
The term "alkaline" comes from the Arabic word "al-qaliy" meaning "ashes", as these elements were first isolated from alkaline ashes. "Earth" is an old term for naturally occurring substances that are not metals but can be smelted into metals.
Properties
Alkaline earth metals are shiny, silvery-white, somewhat reactive metals at standard temperature and pressure. They are all found in the Earth's crust but not in the elemental form as they are so reactive.
Related Terms
- Periodic Table: A tabular arrangement of chemical elements, organized based on their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties.
- Metal: A category of elements that are typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and ductile, with good electrical and thermal conductivity.
- Atomic Number: The number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the chemical properties of an element and its place in the periodic table.
- Electron Configuration: The distribution of electrons of an atom or molecule in atomic or molecular orbitals.
- Chemical Properties: Characteristics of a substance observed during a reaction in which the chemical composition or identity of the substance is changed.
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