The Element Beryllium

What is Beryllium? Element Properties & Periodic Table Info

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Periodic SymbolsWhat is the element Beryllium found within the Periodic Table?

What is Beryllium as on the Periodic Table? Definition of the Beryllium Element
A high-melting, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, rigid, steel-gray metallic element. Beryllium is found in nature in various mineral compounds. It is used as an aerospace structural material, as a moderator and reflector in nuclear reactors, and in a
Copper alloy used for springs, electrical contacts, and non-sparking tools. Beryllium has excellent thermal conductivity, is nonmagnetic, it resists attack by concentrated nitric acid. At standard temperature and pressures beryllium resist oxidation when exposed to air. Beryllium is a toxic and possibly carcinogenic element (an agent that is directly involved in causing cancer). Direct skin contact is to be avoided when handling beryllium and its compounds. The Atomic Number of this element is 4 and the Element Symbol is Be.

 

What is Beryllium? Origin / Meaning of the name Beryllium
The name beryllium comes from the Greek word beryllos meaning 'to become pale'.  The word derives from the name of the the pale semi-precious gemstone called beryl which contains beryllium.

What is Beryllium? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Beryllium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Beryllium is classified as an "Alkaline Earth Metal" which are located in Group 2 elements of the Periodic Table. An Element classified as an Alkaline Earth Metals are found in the Earth’s crust, but not in the elemental form as they are so reactive. Instead, they are widely distributed in rock structures. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals.

Common properties of Alkaline Earth metals
The elements classed as "Alkaline Earth metals" have the following properties in common:

  • Shiny Solids
  • Two electrons in the outer shell
  • Can conduct heat or electricity
  • Can be formed into sheets

Facts about the History of the Discovery of Beryllium Element
Beryllium was discovered in France by Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin in beryl and in emeralds in 1798 and was isolated as the metal independently by Friedrich Wöhler and A.A. Bussy in 1828. Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin also discovered beryllium. Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin rose from being born as the son of a peasant to an eminent chemist. He started his career working in an apothocary shop and then he became the laboratory assistant of Antoine-François Fourcroy before becoming an authority in his own right eventually chemistry professor at the Paris Faculty of Medicine.



Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin (1763-1829)

What is Beryllium? Occurrence of the Beryllium Element
Beryllium is found in 30 different minerals
Minerals include bertrandite, beryl, chrysoberyl, and phenacite
Other precious forms of beryl are emerald and aquamarine
Mined in the USA, China, Russia and Brazil

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 1×10-7%
% in Sun 1×10-8%
% in Meteorites 2.9×10-6%
% in Earth's Crust 0.00019%
% in Oceans 6×10-11%
% in Humans 4×10-8%

Associated Uses of Beryllium
Alloying agent in the production of beryllium copper - non magnetic and non sparking tools
Spacecraft
Missiles
Aircraft
Communication Satellites
Gyroscopes
Beryl provides the green colour in emerald and blue in aquamarine gemstones

Be

The Properties of the Beryllium Element
Symbol of Element : Be
Atomic Number : 4
Atomic Mass: 9.012182 amu
Melting Point: 1278.0 °C - 1551.15 °K
Boiling Point: 2471 °C - 2744 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons: 4
Number of Neutrons: 5
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
Density @ 293 K: 1.8477 g/cm3
Color: Grey

What is Beryllium? The Properties of the Beryllium Element
Name of Element : Beryllium
Symbol of Element : Be
Atomic Number of Beryllium : 4
Atomic Mass: 9.012182 amu
Melting Point: 1278.0 °C - 1551.15 °K
Boiling Point: 2471 °C - 2744 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons in Beryllium : 9
Number of Neutrons in Beryllium : 5
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
Density @ 293 K: 1.8477 g/cm3
Color of Beryllium : Grey

Beryllium as on the Periodic Table
Check out Beryllium on the Periodic Table which arranges each chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the Periodic Law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Beryllium as on the Periodic Table for additional information and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc with any other element. An invaluable source of facts and information as a Chemistry reference guide.

Other elements classified as Alkaline Earth Metals
The other elements contained in this classification are as follows:

  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Strontium
  • Barium
  • Radium

What is Beryllium - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table
The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 and now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri  Mendeleev knew in his day in his day but still all fitting into his concept of  the "Periodic Table" in which Beryllium is just one element that can be found.

Learn about what is Beryllium with these fast facts...
These articles contain facts and information relating to Beryllium and each of the other elements including their Periodic Symbols,  group, classification, properties and atomic number which is often referred to as the Periodic Table Number. Test your knowledge of chemistry and the Periodic Table by completing the Element Symbols and Atomic Numbers on our Blank Periodic Table. Chemistry students will also find a helpful section on Chemical Formulas.

What is the Element Beryllium

The Elements are the building blocks of Modern Science & Chemistry


 

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