The unique set of elements known as alkaline earth metals are key components for humanity and life as we know it. Without them, many things we love and need would disappear. These extraordinarily different but very similar elements that make up the family of alkaline earth metals are: beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and radium (Ra). Although this family is often overshadowed by the infamous alkali metals, you will quickly learn how spectacular and brilliant these metals are and their value to human life. Alkaline earth metals are an interesting group of elements that have many properties and uses in this world. . Knowing them will help you learn more about the world around them. These metals are soft, shiny, silvery and very reactive; although they are not as reactive as the alkali metals, the group of elements right next to them. Speaking of groups, alkaline earth metals are found on the left side and in group 2 of the periodic table. When forming ions, alkali metals usually lose 2 electrons to gain a 2 positive charge and become more stable. This allows them to take part in ionic bonds, especially with the halogen family because halogens are negatively charged in their ionic form. Because alkali metals are positively charged, they attract and form ionic bonds. Alkaline earth metals form many compounds commonly found in nature. The ionic bonds that these metals form with the halogen family are called metal halides. These bonds are not exclusively ionic; they can be a covalent bond in the case of beryllium. Additionally, all alkali metals, except beryllium, can react with water to form alkali hydroxides, compounds containing the hydroxide ion. However,...... half of the paper......Elemental -. Np, nd Web. June 23, 2014."The element Strontium." It's Elemental -. Np, nd Web. June 23, 2014.Haynes, William M.. and David R. Lide. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics a ready reference book of chemical and physical data: 2012-2013. 93rd edition. and. Boca Raton (Fla.): CRC Press, 2012. Print."Facts about the element strontium." Chemicool. Np, nd Web. June 23, 2014. “Mining and Mining Processes.” All about science. Np, nd Web. June 23, 2014. “Elements for Children.” Chemistry for children: elements. Np, nd Web. June 23, 2014. “Periodic Table of Visual Elements.” Periodic table. Np, nd Web. June 23 2014. .