Elastic properties of alkaline earth oxides under high pressure

A phenomenological theory has been developed to describe the elastic behavior of alkaline earth oxide solids under high pressure. The values of second order elastic constants, Cauchy's deviation and Zener anisotropy ratio at different pressures have been computed for MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO. The results were found to be satisfactory and in agreement with available experimental and other theoretical results.