Alkaline Earth Metals

         The group 2 of the periodic table consists of six metallic elements. These are beryllium (denoted by Be), magnesium (denoted by Mg), calcium (denoted by Ca), strontium (denoted by Sr), barium (denoted by Ba) and radium (denoted by Ra). These (except Be) are known as alkaline earth metals as their oxides are alkaline and occur in earth crust.

         (1) Electronic configuration

Radium was discovered in the ore pitch blende by Madam Curie. This is radioactive in nature.

         (2) Occurrence : These are found largely in combined state such as carbonates oxides, and sulphates Mg and Ca are found in the abundance in nature. Be is not much abundant, Sr and Ba are less abundant. Ra is quite rare element. Some significant ores of alkaline earth metals are given below,

         (i) Baryllium : Beryl (3BeO.Al₂O₃.6SiO₂); Phenacite (Be₂SiO₄)

         (ii) Magnesium : Magnesite (MgCO₃); Dolomite (CaCO₃. MgCO₃); Epsomite(MgSO₄. 7H₂O); Carnallite  (MgCl₂.KCl. 6H₂O); Asbestos [CaMg₃(SiO₃)₄]

         (iii) Calcium : Limestone (CaCO₃); Gypsum : (CaSO₄.2H₂O), Anhydrite (CaSO₄); Fluorapatite  [(3Ca₃(PO₄)_2.CaF₂)] The phosphorite rock [molecular formula Ca₃(PO₄)₂]

         (iv) Barium : Barytes (BaSO₄) ; witherite (BaCO₃)

(v) Radium : Pitch blende (U₃O₈); (Ra in traces); other radium rich minerals are carnotite [K₂UO₂)] (VO₄)₂ 8H₂O and antamite [Ca(UO₂)₂]

         (3) Extraction of  alkaline earth metals

         (i) Be and Mg are obtained by reducing their oxides carbon,

            BeO + C → Be + CO  ;  MgO + C → Mg + CO

         (ii) Extraction of the alkaline earth metals can be made by the reduction of their oxides by alkali metals also or by electrolysing their fused salts.  

         (4) Alloy formation : These dissolve in mercury and form amalgams.

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