Article
Article
Alkaline-earth metals
Article By:
Riley, Reed F. Quantum Electronics Group, General Telephone and Electronics, Bayside, New York.
Last reviewed:March 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.023000
Usually calcium, strontium, and barium, the heaviest members of group 2 of the periodic table (excepting radium). Other members of the group are beryllium, magnesium, and radium, sometimes included among the alkaline-earth metals. Beryllium resembles aluminum more than any other element, and magnesium behaves more like zinc and cadmium. The gap between beryllium and magnesium and the remainder of the elements of group 2 makes it desirable to discuss these elements separately. Radium is often treated separately because of its radioactivity.
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