What are the properties of alkali and alkaline earth metals?

Alkaline earths have low electron affinities and low electronegativities. As with the alkali metals, the properties depend on the ease with which electrons are lost. The alkaline earths have two electrons in the outer shell. They have smaller atomic radii than the alkali metals.

What are properties of alkali earth metals?

Properties of Alkaline Earth Metals

  • shiny.
  • silvery-white.
  • somewhat reactive metals at standard temperature and pressure.
  • readily lose their two outermost electrons to form cations with a 2+ charge.
  • low densities.
  • low melting points.
  • low boiling points.

How do alkali metals and alkaline earth metals react with water?

The single valence electron is easily lost, making these metals highly reactive. They react vigorously with both air and water – when sodium comes into contact with water, for example, it reacts violently to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen.

What is the difference between alkaline earth metals and alkali metals?

The key difference between alkali metals and alkaline earth metals is that all alkali metals have an electron in their outermost shell whereas all the alkaline earth metals have two outer electrons. The elements in these two groups are the most reactive metals in the periodic table.

What are three properties of alkali metals?

Physical properties. The alkali metals have the high thermal and electrical conductivity, lustre, ductility, and malleability that are characteristic of metals. Each alkali metal atom has a single electron in its outermost shell.

What are the 2 most common alkaline earth metals?

The alkaline earth metals are six chemical elements in group 2 of the periodic table. They are beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra)….Alkaline earth metal.

IUPAC group number 2
Name by element beryllium group
Trivial name alkaline earth metals
CAS group number (US, pattern A-B-A) IIA

Why are they called alkaline earth metals?

The alkaline earth metals are named after their oxides, the alkaline earths, whose old-fashioned names were beryllia, magnesia, lime, strontia, and baryta. “Earth” was a term applied by early chemists to nonmetallic substances that are insoluble in water and resistant to heating—properties shared by these oxides.

What metal catches fire in water?

Metals typically burn at extremely high temperatures, and alkali metals, such as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium, are particularly reactive with water.

Is potassium alkaline earth metal?

The alkali metals are Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba) and Radium (Ra). The alkaline earth metals form oxide in the earth and they are soluble in water. This is the reason they are named so. Hence potassium is an alkali metal and not an alkaline earth metal.

What are two properties of alkali metals?

What do all alkaline earth metals have in common?

Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals All alkaline Earth metals have similar properties because they all have two valence electrons. They readily give up their two valence electrons to achieve a full outer energy level, which is the most stable arrangement of electrons.

What is unique about alkaline earth metals?

The alkaline-earth elements are highly metallic and are good conductors of electricity. They have a gray-white lustre when freshly cut but tarnish readily in air, particularly the heavier members of the group. Beryllium is sufficiently hard to scratch glass, but barium is only slightly harder than lead.

What are four characteristics properties of the alkali metals?

Chemical Properties of Alkali Metals Hydrides: Alkali metals react with hydrogen at higher temperatures to form metallic hydrides. Nitrides and Phosphides: Alkali metals can react with even atmospheric nitrogen to form nitrides. Oxides: Alkali metals react with atmospheric oxygen and get tarnished of their shining nature.

What are the physical properties of alkali earth metals?

Physical properties. The alkali metals have the high thermal and electrical conductivity, lustre, ductility, and malleability that are characteristic of metals. Each alkali metal atom has a single electron in its outermost shell.

What are the examples of alkaline earth metals?

The six elements in the alkaline earth metals group all have a variety of different uses, including making batteries, flashbulbs, fireworks, fertilizers and various metal alloys. The six alkaline earth metals are calcium, magnesium, barium, beryllium, radium and strontium.

What are common uses of alkaline earth metals?

Alkaline Earth Metals Uses. Be and Mg are widely used in the production of alloys useful in industrial constructions including heat-resistant factory tools, as well as automobile and airplane parts. Ba has applications in various medical and diagnostic procedures like X-ray and MRIs (barium meals).