1. Beryllium Be
TF and PO
12/9/13
Period 4

2. Brief History Emeralds and beryl both known to the Egyptians
It wasn’t realized that emeralds and beryl are the same mineral (beryllium aluminum silicate) until the end of the 18 century
Discovered by Louis Nicolas Vauquelin ( ) in 1797 in France
Origin of name: from Greek word “beryllos” meaning “beryl”
Isolated much later on in 1828 by Friedrich Wohler and Antoine Bussy by the action of potassium on BeCl2 in a platinum crucible

3. Important Characteristics
Group 2 element (alkaline earth metal) and period two element
S-block element
Resists oxidation in air at ordinary temperatures
Beryllium compounds are very toxic
It can scratch glass
Aquamarine and emerald are precious forms of the mineral beryl
Tendency to lose an electron
Compounds are rather covalent

4. Important Properties Melting point: 1,287 degrees Celsius
Boiling point: 2,469 degrees Celsius
Standard state: solid
Metal
Density: 1.85 g/cm^3
Oxidation number: +2
Electronegativity: 1.57
Atomic radius: 112pm
Steel grey in color
It is hard and brittle
Shiny, metallic luster

5. Important Uses X-ray windows Ceramics A moderator in nuclear reactions
Springs, electrodes, and nonsparking tools
High performance aircraft, missiles, spacecraft (such as the U.S.A. space shuttle), communication satellites
Gyroscopes, computer parts, and musical instruments
Military applications
Mirrors
Jewelry (emeralds, etc.)
Welding

6. Value of Beryllium in Chemistry
Cost per gram: $0.93 per gram
Lightest member of the alkaline earth metals
Used as a low percentage component of hard alloys,
especially with copper as the main constituent but also with nickel- and iron-based alloys
-strengthens copper to help prevent sparking when used in tools
-bonded to metals to reduce inflammability and tarnishing

7. Fun Fact
Because any beryllium synthesized in stars is short-lived, it is a relatively rare element in both the universe and in the crust of the earth.

8. Sources http://images-of-elements.com/beryllium.php