Group 2: Alkali Earth Metals

Group 2: Alkali Earth Metals

Alkali earth metals belong to Group two. They are beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium. These metals are harder than those in group one. They are silvery grey in colour. They tarnish quickly, however they don’t just disappear into thin air because the oxides the metals form when reacting with air would form an outer coat that protects the metal from the air. They are good conductors of heat and electricity. They burn in oxygen to form white oxides. They react with water to form hydroxides and hydrogen, but the reaction is a lot less than that of group one. Also, reactivity increases down the group.

Flame Colours

-Calcium                 –brick red

-Strontium             -crimson

-Barium                  -apple-green

Well that’s it for Group two!

Alkali Earth Metals: Quick Notes

• Harder than group one metals
• Two electrons on outer shell (2+ charge)
• Form white oxides
• Forms hydroxides and hydrogen when reacting with water. Reaction is less vigorous than that of group one
• Reaction increases downwards
• Silvery-Grey
• Flame Colours: calcium, brick red; strontium, crimson; barium, apple-green.