Group 2 - Alkaline Earth Metals
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The following diagram shows the Alkaline Earth Metals (Group 2 Elements) and their properties. Scroll down the page for more examples and explanations.
Group 2 - Alkaline Earth Metals
The alkaline earth metals found in group 2 of the periodic table. They are beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium.
Reaction of Alkaline Earth Metals with Water
Magnesium has a very slight reaction with cold water. However, the reaction soon stops because the magnesium hydroxide formed is almost insoluble in water and forms a barrier on the magnesium preventing further reaction.
Mg(s) + H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(s) + H2(g)
However, magnesium burns in steam to produce white magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas.
Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g)
Calcium reacts fairly vigorously with cold water in an exothermic reaction. Bubbles of hydrogen gas are given off, and an alkaline solution of slightly soluble calcium hydroxide is formed.
Ca(s) + H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(s) + H2(g)
The reaction gets more vigorous as you go down the group with strontium and barium.
Alkaline Earth metals are a group of chemical elements in the periodic table with very similar properties. What are those properties?
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