All of these metals are commercially valuable. This group includes beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and radium (Ra). Group II elements include; Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba) and Radium (Ra). They can achieve the noble gas state easily, by removing the outermost electron in the valence shell. Location of the Alkaline Earths on the Periodic Table. The name alkaline earth suggest that these metals form alkalies with water and are found in earth’s crust. The alkaline earth metals are less reactive than the alkali metals. Alkaline earth metals have stronger metallic bonds as compared to the alkali metals present in the same period. Like the alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals are so reactive that they are never found in elemental form in nature. Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals The elements in group one of the periodic table (with the exception of hydrogen - see below) are known as the alkali metals because they form alkaline solutions when they react with water. As can be seen from Figure 8.6.1.2, Alkaline earth metals' possess large negative M 2+/0 standard reduction potentials which strongly favor the +2 cation. Group II elements include; Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba) and Radium (Ra). The alkali metals are the elements present in the first group of the periodic table. Alkali metals and alkaline earth metals have many similar properties, but this article discusses mainly their differences. They burn with various colored flames as follows: beryllium (white), magnesium (bright white), calcium (red), strontium (crimson), barium (green), and radium (red). They become stable by gaining the electron configuration of noble gasses through the donation of their outermost electrons. All the alkaline earth metals readily lose their two outermost electrons to form cations with a 2+ charge. Alkali metals have the electronic configuration of [Noble gas] ns1 while Alkaline earth metals have, [Noble gas] ns2 electronic configuration. They are Lithium (Li), Sodium(Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs) and Francium (Fr). Available here   Calcium and magnesium are important for animal and plant life. The alkaline earth metals (beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra)) are a group of chemical elements in the s-block of the periodic table with very similar properties: 1. shiny 2. silvery-white 3. somewhat reactive metals at standard temperature and pressure 4. readily lose their two outermost electrons to form cations with a 2+ charge 5. low densities 6. low melting points 7. low boiling poi… The alkaline earth metals are shiny, silvery-white, and somewhat reactive metals at standard temperature and pressure. Calcium plays an important role in helping us to build strong bones and magnesium is used to help regulate the body's temperature. All the elements in this group are denser than water. The alkaline earth metal calcium is also present in significant quantity. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. They can be easily distinguished from the other metals as they have only 2 electrons in their outer shell and can easily donate those electrons to achieve stability. Present in the earth's crust but not in their basic form. 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. Because the alkaline-earth metals have two electrons in their outer shell, they react easily with other elements and are found in nature only in compounds. Alkaline earth metals have only two electrons in their outermost electron layer. The alkaline earth metals are in the second group of the periodic table. All rights reserved. Some characteristics of alkaline earth metals are: An oxidation number of +2 which makes them very reactive. As ions they have a charge of +2a. Similar to alkaline metals, these elements also do not occur freely in nature and they are also very reactive. There are six alkaline earth metals, including beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium. As both Alkali metals and alkali earth metals are the first two groups in the periodic table, the difference between alkali metals and alkaline earth metals is a subject of interest for any chemistry student. Alkaline earth metals are also known as Group II elements. The alkaline earths possess many of the characteristic properties of metals. 3. What are Alkali Metals Many of alkali metal compounds (NaCl, KCl, Na2CO3, NaOH) are commercially very important. It is very radioactive and is dangerous to handle. 5. Calcium and magnesium are fourth and fifth in the reactivity series. 4. Side by Side Comparison – Alkali Metals vs Alkaline Earth Metals in Tabular Form They have two outer valence electrons which they readily lose. The heterocyclic beryllole is the first antiaromatic molecule containing an alkaline earth metal in its π system. It determines the valency of the elements. This group of elements includes beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. Also, like the alkali metals, or indeed any other family on the periodic table, not all members of the alkali metal family are created equally in terms of their abundance on Earth or their usefulness to human life. Not found freely in nature. Comparatively, alkali metals are more reactive than alkaline earth metals. For animal and plant life ) ; Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between also do not freely. 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