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Group 2 Elements: The Alkaline Earth Metals

The Group 2 alkaline earth metals include Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Barium, Strontium and Radium and are soft, silver metals that are less metallic in character than the Group 1 Alkali Metals. Although many characteristics are common throughout the group, the heavier metals such as Ca, Sr, Ba, and Ra are almost as reactive as the Group 1 Alkali Metals. All the elements in Group 2 have two electrons in their valence shells, giving them an oxidation state of +2.