Question

members of the alkaline earth elements have several things in common. they are
a nonmetals and are nonreactive.
b metals with two valence electrons.
c metals that are not very reactive.
d metaloids with two valence electrons.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Alkaline earth elements are metals (not nonmetals) and are reactive, so A is wrong.
• Option B: Alkaline earth metals (group 2 elements like Ca, Sr, Ba, etc.) are metals with 2 valence electrons. This matches their properties.
• Option C: They are quite reactive (e.g., react with water, acids), so "not very reactive" is incorrect.
• Option D: They are metals, not metalloids, so D is wrong.

Answer:

B. metals with two valence electrons.