Question

Members of the alkaline earth elements have several things in common. They are

Answer 1

○Two electrons in the outer shell and a full outer electron s shell

○Low electron affinities

○Low electronegativities

○Relatively low densities

○Relatively low melting points and boiling points, as far as metals are concerned

○Typically malleable and ductile. Relatively soft and strong.

The elements readily form divalent cations (such as Mg2+and Ca2+).

The alkaline earth metals are very reactive, although less so than the alkali metals. Because of their high reactivity, the alkaline earths are not found free in nature. However, all of these elements do occur naturally. They are common in a wide variety of compounds and minerals.

These elements are shiny and silver-white as pure metals, although they usually appear dull because they react with air to form surface oxide layers.

All the alkaline earths, except for beryllium, form corrosive alkaline hydroxides.

All of the alkaline earths react with halogens to form halides. The halides are ionic crystals, except for beryllium chloride, which is a covalent compound.

Answer 2

The alkaline earth metals are present inside the earth and when they are dissolved in water they form the base or alkali solution. Group 2 elements are known as alkaline earth metals.

They shows several common things like all the members show metallic property. They have low ionization energy and high electronegative energy. The atomic radius increases as we go down the group in case of the alkaline earth metals.