When a new bond forms in a chemical reaction, what happens?
a.
energy is released.
b.
an atom loses its protons.
c.
neutrons in the nucleus expand.
d.
the products get larger.

The answer to this question would be A. Energy is released. 

When a chemical bond is a form, the bond will either suck up energy or produce energy. So, to be precise the energy is not always released but also can be absorbed. In this case, the energy released number will be a minus.

Options B and C is definitely wrong since the bond is formed by an electron, it won't affects neutron/proton.
Option D might be true since the product is made of 2 or more atoms then it would seem larger. But the size of the actual atom won't be increased.

Alkaline earth metals are found in group 2 of the periodic table.