ALKALINE EARTH Meaning and
Definition
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Alkaline earth refers to a group of chemical elements found in the periodic table that belong to Group 2. This group includes beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra). The term "alkaline earth" stems from the fact that these elements exhibit certain similarities to alkali metals, sharing some common characteristics. However, alkaline earth elements are less reactive compared to alkali metals.
One defining feature of alkaline earth elements is their atomic structure, with two valence electrons present in their outermost energy level. This electron configuration makes the elements highly reactive, although less so than alkali metals. They are relatively soft and lightweight metals that possess low electron affinity and ionization energies.
Alkaline earth metals readily form divalent cations, meaning they tend to lose their two valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This results in an overall +2 charge on their ions. These elements are typically found in compounds rather than in their pure form in nature, due to their reactivity. Compounds containing alkaline earth elements are widely used in various applications, including medicine, agriculture, construction, and electronics.
Alkaline earth elements play vital roles in biological processes and are essential for the growth and development of living organisms. They are commonly found in bones, teeth, and shells. Due to their diverse applications and importance in numerous industries and biological systems, the study and understanding of alkaline earth elements have significant scientific and practical implications.
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Lime, magnesia, baryta, and certain other partly soluble oxides having an alkaline reaction.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ALKALINE EARTH
- zlkaline earth
- slkaline earth
- wlkaline earth
- qlkaline earth
- akkaline earth
- apkaline earth
- aokaline earth
- aljaline earth
- almaline earth
- allaline earth
- aloaline earth
- alialine earth
- alkzline earth
- alksline earth
- alkwline earth
- alkqline earth
- alkakine earth
- alkapine earth
- alkaoine earth
Etymology of ALKALINE EARTH
The etymology of the word "alkaline earth" can be traced back to the concept of alkalinity and the chemical element Earth.
The term "alkaline" comes from the Arabic word "al-qalī" or "qalī", meaning "ashes of saltwort plants". In ancient times, these plants were burned to produce an alkaline substance that was used for cleaning and soap-making. This alkaline property was later associated with certain minerals and chemicals that exhibited similar characteristics.
The term "earth" in chemistry refers to the metallic oxides that were historically believed to be elements. These metallic oxides are commonly found in the Earth's crust and have properties similar to those of common earth or soil.
Similar spelling words for ALKALINE EARTH
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