Here are the elements in this group:
* Beryllium (Be)
* Magnesium (Mg)
* Calcium (Ca)
* Strontium (Sr)
* Barium (Ba)
* Radium (Ra)
These elements share several key characteristics:
* They are all metals.
* They have two valence electrons (electrons in their outermost shell). This means they tend to lose these two electrons to form +2 ions, making them highly reactive.
* They are silvery-white in color, though they can tarnish quickly.
* They are relatively soft, but harder than alkali metals.
* They are good conductors of electricity and heat.
* They react readily with water to form alkaline solutions.
Note: Radium is radioactive and not as common as the other members of the group.
