Why‌ ‌are‌ ‌they‌ ‌called‌ ‌Alkaline‌ ‌Earth‌ ‌metals?‌ ‌

Alkaline Earth metals are called so because of their chemical properties and their relationship to alkaline metals. The name "alkaline" indicates their basic (non-acidic) nature, and "earth" is an old term used to describe materials that were insoluble in water and resembled the compounds found in the Earth's crust. Alkaline Earth metals belong to Group 2 of the periodic table, which also includes Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), and Radium (Ra).

These metals share certain characteristics:

Reactivity: Alkaline Earth metals are less reactive than the Alkali metals in Group 1 of the periodic table, but they are still highly reactive compared to other elements. They readily react with water and oxygen, although not as vigorously as Alkali metals.

Basic Properties: Alkaline Earth metals tend to form basic (alkaline) oxides and hydroxides when they react with water or oxygen. This is why they are referred to as "alkaline" metals.

Low Electron Configuration: Alkaline Earth metals have two electrons in their outermost electron shell, which makes them relatively eager to lose those electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This propensity to lose electrons makes them good candidates for forming positive ions.

Metallic Properties: These elements are metals and share common metallic properties, such as high electrical conductivity, luster, and malleability.

The term "earth" in their name, which may seem unusual today, dates back to a time when chemical elements were categorized into three broad groups: metals, nonmetals, and "earths." The term "earth" was used to describe materials that were solid and insoluble in water. Over time, our understanding of chemical elements and their properties evolved, leading to the modern periodic table and a more accurate naming convention.

In summary, Alkaline Earth metals are so named due to their basic (alkaline) nature and their connection to the older term "earth" used to describe solid, insoluble materials.