The heaviest alkaline earth metal is radium (Ra).
Radium is located in group 2 of the periodic table, which is known as the alkaline earth metals group. This group includes beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. Among these, radium stands out due to its atomic number of 88, making it the heaviest member of this group.
Alkaline earth metals are characterized by having two electrons in their outer shell, which contributes to their reactivity and metallic properties. As you move down the group from beryllium to radium, the atomic mass increases significantly due to the addition of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. This increase in mass leads to radium being classified as the heaviest alkaline earth metal.
It’s worth noting that radium is also radioactive, which adds an extra layer of complexity to its properties compared to other alkaline earth metals. Its heavy mass and radioactivity are key characteristics that define its behavior and applications in various scientific fields.