Final answer:
Alkaline earth metals have a larger atomic size compared to alkali metals, but are less reactive and form 2+ ions. They are part of group 2, which includes beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. These metals react to form alkaline solutions and exhibit a characteristic alkaline earth property. Option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option describing the alkaline earth metals is C) Larger atomic size than alkali metals, high reactivity, form 2+ ions. These metals belong to group 2 of the periodic table, including beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. The statement mirrors the characteristics of the alkaline earth metals, emphasizing their significant, albeit lesser reactivity compared to the alkali metals (group 1) and their common 2+ oxidation state due to losing two valence electrons during chemical reactions.
Alkaline earth metals often react with water to form alkaline solutions, and their reactivity tends to increase as their atomic size grows within the group.
Contrary to the alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals have higher first ionization energies and smaller atomic sizes within the same period. This is because there is an increase in nuclear charge from group 1 to group 2. Moreover, while radium is technically an alkaline earth metal, it is notably unstable and highly radioactive compared to the other alkaline earth metals.