Beryllium

- Daniel Inzunza

Basic Facts

• Beryllium has an atomic number of 4, which means it has 4 protons.• Beryllium is the lightest alkaline earth metal.• Beryllium used to be called Glucinium or Glucinum (in some countries). Both element names

refer to the sweet taste of beryllium.• Though beryllium tastes sweet, it’s toxic. Chronic exposure to beryllium (typically through

inhalation) can lead to a life-threatening allergic disease called berylliosis.• Beryllium is found in the gemstone called beryl. This group of gemstones includes emeralds

and aquamarines.• Beryllium has a high transparency to x-rays and other types of ionizing radiation.• The element beryllium is relatively rare in the universe and on Earth because beryllium was

created by the Big Bang and is not typically formed by the nucleosynthesis reactions of stars.• Beryllium and its compounds have many uses. Beryllium metal is used in rocket nozzles,

space telescopes, and to make windows transparent to x-rays and other types of radiation. Beryllium is used as a hardening agent in alloys such as beryllium copper.

• The elasticity of beryllium is higher than that of steel.• Beryllium has one of the highest melting points of the light metals.

Where is Beryllium used?• Precious forms of beryl include aquamarine, morganite,

and emerald. Beryllium is used as an alloying agent in producing beryllium copper, which is used for springs, electrical contacts, nonsparking tools, and spot-welding electrodes. It is used in many structural components of the space shuttle and other aerospace craft. Beryllium foil is used in x-ray lithography for making circuits. It’s used as a reflector or moderator in nuclear reactions. Beryllium is used in gyroscopes and computer parts. The oxide has a very high melting point and is used in ceramics and nuclear applications.

Where can Beryllium be found?

• Beryllium is a rare light metal/alkaline earth metal. However, it can be found in some gemstones like aquamarines and emeralds.

• Beryllium was created only in the big bang and is hard to find in big amounts on earth.

Chemical and Physical properties

• Beryllium has a melting point of 1287+/-5°C, boiling point of 2970°C, specific gravity of 1.848 (20°C), and a valency of 2. The metal is steel-gray in color, light, with one of the highest melting points of the light metals. Its elasticity is a third higher than that of steel. Beryllium has high thermal conductivity, is nonmagnetic, and resists concentrated nitric acid. Beryllium resists oxidation in air at ordinary temperatures. Beryllium has a high permeability to x-radiation.. Beryllium and its compounds are toxic and should not be tasted to verify the metal's sweetness.