Groups IIA, IIIA, and IVA
The elements in Group IIA (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra) are all metals, and all but Be and Mg are active metals. These elements are often called the alkaline-earth metals. The term alkaline reflects the fact that many compounds of these metals are basic or alkaline. The term earth was historically used to describe the fact that many of these compounds are insoluble in water. Most of the chemistry of the alkaline-earth metals (Group IIA) can be predicted from the behavior of the alkali metals (Group IA). Three points should be kept in mind, however.
- The alkaline-earth metals tend to lose two electrons to form M 2+ ions (Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and so on).
- These metals are less reactive than the neighboring alkali metal. Magnesium is less active than sodium; calcium is less active than potassium; and so on.
- These metals become more active as we go down the column. Magnesium is more active than beryllium; calcium is more active than magnesium; and so on.
https://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch9/groups.php
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