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The Group 2 alkaline earth metals include Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Barium, Strontium and Radium and are soft, silver metals that are less metallic in character than the Group 1 Alkali Metals. Although many characteristics are common throughout the group, the heavier metals such as Ca, Sr, Ba, and Ra are almost as reactive as the Group 1 Alkali Metals. All the elements in Group 2 have two electrons in their valence shells, giving them an oxidation state of +2.
- Group 2: Chemical Properties of Alkali Earth Metals
- Covers the elements beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba). Includes trends in atomic and physical properties, trends in reactivity, the solubility patterns in the hydroxides and sulfates, trends in the thermal decomposition of the nitrates and carbonates, and some of the atypical properties of beryllium.
- Group 2: Physical Properties of Alkali Earth Metals
- This page explores the trends in some atomic and physical properties of the Group 2 elements: beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. Sections below cover the trends in atomic radius, first ionization energy, electronegativity, and physical properties.
- Chemistry of Beryllium (Z=4)
- The name Beryllium comes from the Greek beryllos which is the name for the gemstone beryl. The element is a high-melting, silver-white metal which is the first member of the alkaline earth metals. It is not abundant in the environment and occurs mainly in the mineral beryl with aluminum and silicon.
- Chemistry of Magnesium (Z=12)
- Magnesium is a group two element and is the eighth most common element in the earth's crust. Magnesium is light, silvery-white, and tough. Like aluminum, it forms a thin layer around itself to help prevent itself from rusting when exposed to air. Fine particles of magnesium can also catch on fire when exposed to air.
- Chemistry of Calcium (Z=20)
- Calcium is the 20th element in the periodic table. It is a group 2 metal, also known as an alkaline-earth metal, and no populated d-orbital electrons. Calcium is the fifth most abundant element by mass (3.4%) in both the Earth's crust and in seawater. All living organisms (in fact, even dead ones) have and need calcium for survival.
- Chemistry of Strontium (Z=38)
- Strontium is a group 2 element that does not occur as a free element due to its extreme reactivity with oxygen and water. It occurs naturally only in compounds with other elements such as strontianite. It is softer than calcium and decomposes water more vigorously. It has a silver appearance but then turns yellow with the formation of oxide. Strontium is named after the Scottish village on Strontian.
- Chemistry of Barium (Z=56)
- Barium is a soft, silvery white metal, and has a melting point of 1000 K. Because of its reaction to air, barium cannot be found in nature in its pure form but can be extracted from the mineral barite.
- Chemistry of Radium (Z=88)
- Radium takes its name from the Latin word radius or ray. All isotopes of radium are radioactive and many exhibit luminescence, reacting readily with oxygen and water. The metal was discovered and isolated in 1911 by Marie Curie.
