Alkaline_Earth_Metals

=What are the Alkaline Earth Metals?= = = =They are a group of metallic elements found in the second row of the Periodic Table. They are the second most reactive group having an oxidation number of +2 and therefore are not found in nature. The Alkaline Earth Metals are:= = = =[|Beryllium]= Symbol: Be Atomic Number: 4 Mass Number: 9 Electronic Configuration:2,2 =[|Magnesium]= Symbol: Mg Atomic Number: 12 Mass Number: 24 Electronic Confiugration: 2,8,2 =[|Calcium]= Symbol: Ca Atomic Number: 20 Mass Number: 40 Electronic Configuration:2,8,8,2 =[|Strontium]= Symbol: Sr Atomic Number: 38 Mass Number: 88 Electronic Configuration:2,8,18,8,2 =[|Barium]= Symbol: Ba Atomic Number: 56 Mass Number: 137 Electronic Configuration:2,8,18,18,8,2 =[|Radium]= =Symbol: Atomic Number: 88 Mass Number: 226AMU= =Electronic Configuration: 2,8, 18, 32, 18, 8, 2=

What are the Trends of the Alkaline Earth Metals? The alkaline earths own many of the characteristic properties of metal. Alkaline earths have low electron affinities and low electro negativities. The alkaline earths have two electrons in the outer shell. They have smaller atomic radii than the alkali metals. The two valence electrons are not tightly bound to the nucleus, so the alkaline earths are readily to lose the electrons to form divalent actions. The alkaline earth metals are all harder and denser than sodium and potassium, and have higher melting points.

What are the Chemical and Physical Properties?

(Physical) (Chemical)
 * Shiny 'metallic' appearance
 * Solids at room temperature (except mercury)
 * High melting points
 * densities higher than 1
 * Malleable
 * Thermal conductors
 * Electrical conductors
 * Two electrons in the outer shell
 * Low electron affinities
 * Low electro negativities
 * all metals with a shiny, silvery-white color
 * soft metal
 * Readily form divalent cations.
 * less reactive than the alkali metals
 * highly reactive
 * form +2 ions
 * form strong hydroxide solution (in air)