Alkaline earth metals are a group of six chemical elements found in group 2 of the periodic table. These metals include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. They are known for having two electrons in their outermost shell, which makes them reactive, though less so than the alkali metals in group 1. These elements are typically shiny and silvery-white in appearance. They readily form compounds with nonmetals and are commonly found in nature, often in mineral forms. Alkaline earth metals play important roles in various applications, including construction, medicine, and agriculture.