Question

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

Answer 1

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!).