alkaline-earth metals

alkaline-earth metals metals constituting Group 2 of the periodic table . Generally, they are softer than most other metals, react readily with water (especially when heated), and are powerful reducing agents, but they are exceeded in each of these properties by the corresponding alkali metal. They form divalent compounds. In order of increasing atomic number the alkaline-earth metals are beryllium , magnesium , calcium , strontium , barium , and radium .

alkaline-earth metals Bivalent metals forming Group II of the periodic table: beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. They are all light, soft and highly reactive. All, except beryllium and magnesium, react with cold water to form hydroxides (though magnesium reacts with hot water). Radium is important for its radioactive properties.

alkaline rock An igneous rock that contains a relatively high concentration of the alkali (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, and francium) and alkaline earth metals (magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium). Both silica-saturated and silica-under-saturated varieties exist, expressed in the presence of alkali feldspars and feldspathoids respectively. Alkali ferromagnesian minerals are usually present, and their identity depends on the composition of the rock. Compare acid rock.