Oxidation states oxygen family elements

In its elemental form, barium is a relatively soft, silvery-white metal. As a highly reactive member of the alkaline-earth family, metallic barium will oxidize readily in water to form barium hydroxide, evolving hydrogen gas. It will also react readily and vigorously with oxygen in air to form BaO. As with other alkaline-earth elements, barium s most common oxidation state is +2. 

Oxidizers may be elements, acids, or salts classihed into families, with specific hazards associated with each family. There are elements found on the Periodic Table that are oxidizers in their elemental state. These include oxygen, chlorine, fluorine, bromine, and iodine. 

---