This ad space available. An alkaline earth is any element in the second column of the periodic table. The alkaline earth elements are found in many common materials. For example, calcium ions are a major component of your bones, magnesium is used in a variety of metal alloys, strontium is used in television tubes, and barium compounds are used as X-ray contrast agents. Radium is a very rare radioactive material.
Beryllium is a toxic and carcinogenic material that requires specialized handling.
This reactivity increases as one moves down the column from Ca to Ba. Although these metals are shiny when cut, they tend to tarnish in air. See the links below for further information. The other alkali metals are all flammable , so special care needs to be taken in using these and a proper Class D extinguisher should be available. Elemental Mg, Ca, Ba and Sr are incompatible with certain classes of chemicals such as halogenated solvents .