Alkaline earth metal
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Description
A general term for all metals in group IIA of the periodic table (Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Barium, Strontium, and Radium). Alkaline earth metals are usually white, malleable, extrudable and machinable. The divalent alkaline earth metal anions form stable oxides (alkaline earths) and carbonates. Additionally, they are less reactive than alkali metals (i.e., Sodium and Potassium) and they form hydroxides that are less soluble and less basic than the alkali metal hydroxides.
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993