Final answer:
Chlorine is a halogen, part of Group 17 on the periodic table, and known for reacting with metals to form salts and being a strong oxidizing agent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chlorine is a member of the halogen group, not an alkaline earth metal. Halogens are located in Group 17 of the periodic table and include fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At). All halogens react readily with metals to form salts, such as sodium chloride or magnesium chloride. Chlorine, specifically, is a very electronegative element and a strong oxidizing agent, making it reactive with many elements to form covalent bonds or ionic compounds. In synthesis reactions, chlorine gas can react with metals, like aluminum, to form compounds such as aluminum chloride (AlCl3).