What Is Group 2? Alkaline Earth Metals

This lesson covers the alkaline earth metals in group two of the periodic table, focusing on magnesium and calcium. It explains their properties, such as having two valence electrons and forming ions with a plus-two charge. The video details the reactions of magnesium and calcium with oxygen and water, highlighting the formation of oxides and hydroxides. Magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide and with steam to produce magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas. Calcium reacts with oxygen to form calcium oxide and with cold water to produce calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The lesson also compares the reactivity of these metals, noting that reactivity increases down the group.

What happens to the density and reactivity of alkaline earth metals as you move down the group?

Explain the significance of the oxide layer on magnesium strips.

What is the difference in reactivity between magnesium and calcium when reacting with water?