1. COMPARATIVE CHEMISTRY OF GROUP 1A, 2A, AND IVA ELEMENTS

1.2. 6. COMPARATIVE REACTIVITY

Property

Group 1A (Alkali)

Group 2A (Alkaline Earth)

Group IVA (Carbon Family)

Valence Electrons

ns¹

ns²

ns²np²

Oxidation State

+1

+2

+2, +4

Nature

Highly metallic

Metallic

Nonmetal → Metalloid → Metal

Bonding

Mostly ionic

Mostly ionic

Mostly covalent

Reaction with Water

Violent

Slow to moderate

Rare/none

Oxides

Strongly basic

Basic (less strong)

Acidic → Amphoteric → Basic

Reactivity Trend

Very high

Moderate

Low