Answers (1)
Because they have charge. Once an element in the alkali metals or the alkaline earth metal column loses its extra electron/ electrons, it will have a charge, so it will be looking to magnetically form ionic bonds with whatever suits its needs.(holy hell, chemistry class two chapters ago actually paid off haha)
It actually seems those chemistry classes were a waste of the teachers time, not yours.
1.) Electrostatic attraction, not magnetic, is the force holding a lattice of ions together.
2.) My dear friend, you must be confused. I said periods, not groups.