Alkaline Earth Metals

Alkaline earth metals are a group of six chemical elements found in Group 2 of the periodic table: lithium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. They are typically shiny, silvery-white metals that are reactive but less so than alkali metals. They play important roles in biology and industry; for example, calcium is vital for bones, while magnesium is essential for many enzymatic processes. These metals usually have two electrons in their outer shell, making them eager to lose these electrons and form compounds, especially with nonmetals.