Beryllium
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Beryllium (Be) is a light silver-gray metal that has the atomic number 4 in the periodic table. It is an Alkaline earth metal with the symbol Be that belongs in Group 2 of the periodic table.
Beryllium is widely used to alloy with other metals such as copper and is used in springs and electrical equipment due to its non magnetic nature. Whilst Beryllium is a metal, it is brittle at room temperature and can easily shatter, hence why it is often alloyed with harder metals. It is often found in the precious stones Emeralds and contributes to its green colour. It has been known by the Egyptians and Romans and was prized for its beauty. It was not until 1828 when it was isolated by Friederich Wohler and Antoine Bussy. It is a very rare element in the earth’s crust and due to its reactivity is often hard to extract. It is located in Group 2, the Alkaline earth metals and produces alkaline solutions. It is a solid at room temperature and it has a melting point of 278°c and a boiling point of 2970°c.
FAQ's
Fredrich Wöhler, A.A.Bussy
1798
Uses
Its ability to absorb large amounts of heat makes it useful in spacecraft, missiles, aircraft, etc. Emeralds are beryl crystals with chromium traces giving them their green color.
Sources
Found mostly in minerals like beryl [AlBe3(Si6O18)] and chrysoberyl (Al2BeO4). Pure beryllium is obtained by chemically reducing beryl mineral. Also by electrolysis of beryllium chloride.
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Be
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