Abstract: | Reactions of the alkaline earth metals magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium with water, phenolphthalein solution, diluted extract of red cabbage, diluted hydrochloric acid, or ammonia are well suited for a demonstration of the increase in reactivity within this group of metals with increasing atomic number. If the alkali metals lithium and sodium are included, the reactivity of six s‐block elements can be demonstrated in test tubes with small amounts of chemicals. |