Why IA group elements are called alkali metals and IIA group are called alkaline earth metal?? Thanks a lot .

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 22, 2017

Well, #"earth"#, is a very old-fashioned name for oxide.......

Explanation:

The realization that earths were in fact oxides was attributed to Lavoisier. And the Group 2 metals form a stable series of sparingly soluble binary oxides. I am told that the term #"alkali"# comes from an Arabic root, referring to ash, and oxides and hydroxides were traditionally extracted from the ashes of wood-fires (and why should do they this? Why else but to use it to make soap!).

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