Maaalkalimetalli

Maaalkalimetalli is a term that refers to alkaline earth metals in Finnish. Alkaline earth metals are a group of six chemical elements in the periodic table, appearing in group 2. They are beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra). These elements are characterized by their high reactivity, particularly with oxygen and halogens. In their elemental form, alkaline earth metals are silvery-white and highly reactive solids.

The name "alkaline earth" originated from the historical classification of their oxides as "earths," which were substances thought to be infusible, and their hydroxides as "alkalis" due to their basic nature. While beryllium oxide is refractory (resistant to heat and melting), the oxides of the other alkaline earth metals readily react with acids to form salts. These metals readily lose their two valence electrons to form divalent cations with a +2 charge, making them strong reducing agents.

Magnesium and calcium are particularly abundant and play crucial biological roles. Calcium is essential for bone formation and numerous physiological processes in animals, while magnesium is a vital component of chlorophyll in plants and is involved in many enzymatic reactions. Strontium and barium are found in smaller quantities and have various industrial applications, such as in fireworks (strontium) and in drilling fluids (barium). Radium, being highly radioactive, has limited practical uses but was historically investigated for medical applications.