How many valence electrons do alkaline earth metals have?

Alkaline earth metals, which are found in Group 2 of the periodic table, are characterized by having two valence electrons. These elements include beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. The presence of two electrons in their outermost shell defines their chemical properties and reactivity.

Having two valence electrons allows alkaline earth metals to readily participate in chemical bonding. They tend to lose these two electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration, similar to noble gases. This electron loss results in the formation of divalent cations, contributing to their reactivity and the formation of various compounds. The distinction of having exactly two valence electrons is what sets alkaline earth metals apart from other groups in the periodic table, such as alkali metals, which have one valence electron, or transition metals, which can have varying numbers.