Question

Are alkaline earth metals dangerous?

Answer 1

Alkaline earth metals are present in group 2 and have a valency of 2 also. It includes Berylium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), and Radium (Ra).

Alkaline earth metals are dangerous.

• Corrosive - Alkaline earth metal reacts violently with water producing corrosive hydroxides, so direct skin contact with these metals results in the destruction of tissues.

$\mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\underset{}{\overset{}{\to }}\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

• Flammable - Alkaline earth metals catch fire in contact with moist air. So these should be carefully handled.

$2\mathrm{Mg}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\underset{}{\overset{}{\to }}2\mathrm{MgO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$

• Health hazard - Beryllium is highly toxic, it causes respiratory disease and is also carcinogenic. When these metals catch fire it produces highly toxic gases.