Group II, also known as the alkaline earth metals, consists of six elements: beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. These metals are located in the second column of the periodic table and are characterized by having two electrons in their outermost shell. They are known for their reactivity, though they are less reactive than the alkali metals in Group I. Alkaline earth metals are typically shiny and silvery-white in appearance. They readily form compounds with nonmetals and are commonly found in nature, often in mineral forms. For example, calcium is essential for biological organisms, while magnesium is important in various industrial applications.