Which statement correctly compares an atom of an alkali metal with an atom of the alkaline earth metal next to it on the periodic table?
The alkali metal atom forms a +1 ion, while the alkaline earth metal atom forms a +2 ion.
The alkali metal atom forms a +2 ion, while the alkaline earth metal atom forms a +1 ion.
The alkali metal atom has one less shell of electrons than the atom of the alkaline earth metal.
The alkali metal atom has one more shell of electrons than the atom of the alkaline earth metal.