Why are alkali metals (Na, K) and alkaline earth metals (Ca, Ba) stored under a layer of kerosene?

Why are alkali metals (Na, K) and alkaline earth metals (Ca, Ba) stored under a layer of kerosene? What happens to these metals when stored in air?

Alkali and alkaline earth metals are stored under a layer of kerosene to protect them from water vapor and atmospheric oxygen. metals interact with them.

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