Final answer:
Alkali metals, found in Group 1, have one valence electron and are highly reactive, forming +1 cations. Alkaline earth metals, in Group 2, have two valence electrons, are less reactive, and form +2 cations. Both groups' electron configurations significantly influence their chemical behavior and reactivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alkali Metals vs Alkaline Earth Metals
The alkali metals and the alkaline earth metals are both groups located on the periodic table with distinct physical and chemical properties. Alkali metals, found in Group 1 of the periodic table, have a single s electron in their outermost shell, leading to their characteristic properties such as having the largest atomic radii and the lowest first ionization energies within their periods. This makes it easy to remove the valence electron, resulting in the formation of stable cations with a +1 charge. Alkaline earth metals, on the other hand, reside in Group 2 and have a completed s subshell in their outermost shell, with two valence electrons. They are less reactive than alkali metals but still form stable cations with a +2 charge.When comparing the reactivity of alkali and alkaline earth metals, the former are more reactive, particularly because they react faster and more vigorously with water and other substances. Alkali metals often produce hydrogen gas and a strong alkaline solution upon reaction with water, while alkaline earth metals also react with water, albeit less dramatically.In terms of electron configuration, the alkali metals will have an outer shell configuration of ns1, whereas the alkaline earth metals have ns2. When considering magnetic properties, neither group is strongly magnetic, but they can interact with magnetic fields based on their electron configurations.The similarities in chemical behaviors among elements within these groups are due to their similar valence electron configurations, as first grouped by Mendeleev. Elements with the most similar properties are arranged together in the same group to demonstrate trends in reactivity and other chemical behaviors.