The formation of sodium chloride involves two half reaction, which clearly show involvement of electrons.
2
Sum of the half reactions gives
In terms of electron-transfer change, name the oxidising agent(s) and reducing agent(s)
According to the modern concept, loss of electrons is oxidation whereas gain of electrons is reduction.Redox reaction involves two half reactions, one involving loss of electron or electrons (oxidation) and the other involving gain of electrons or electrons (reduction)
In the given reaction Sodium(Na) is loosing 2 electrons, thus it is the reducing agent. Chlorine(Cl) is gaining 2 electrons , thus it is oxidising agent.
Alkaline earth metals are called so because of two reasons
However Beryllium fulfills 1st reason but its oxides and hydroxides are amphoteric so sometimes they say it is not alkaline earth metal. but as it is amphoteric IUPAC has accepted this as alkaline earth metal