Why are the electron affinities of alkaline earth metals nearly zero?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Alkaline Earth Metals**:
Alkaline earth metals are found in Group 2 of the periodic table. This group includes elements like beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and others.

2. **Electronic Configuration**:
The general electronic configuration of alkaline earth metals is \( ns^2 \). For example, magnesium (Mg) has an atomic number of 12, and its electronic configuration is \( 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 \).

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