Which group of the periodic table do alkaline earth metals belong to?

Alkaline earth metals are found in Group 2 of the periodic table. This group includes elements such as beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. These metals are characterized by having two electrons in their outermost electron shell, which gives them distinctive properties such as increasing reactivity compared to other metals in the periodic table (except for alkali metals found in Group 1, which have only one electron in their outer shell). Group 2 elements readily form divalent cations (ions with a +2 charge) when they react with nonmetals.

Understanding their position in the periodic table helps clarify their chemical behaviors and trends, such as increasing reactivity down the group and the formation of similar compounds.