Beryllium

What is Beryllium?

• In the periodic table, beryllium is an element with an atomic number of 4.
• It is a highly poisonous, bivalent element.
• The element has one of the highest melting points among light metals.
• Thirty distinct minerals contain beryllium, the most significant of which are bertrandite, beryl, chrysoberyl, and phenacite.

Chemical Data of Beryllium

Group	2	Melting point	1287°C, 2349°F, 1560 K
Period	2	Boiling point	2468°C, 4474°F, 2741 K
Block	s	Density (g cm−3)	1.85
Atomic number	4	Relative atomic mass	9.012
State at 20°C	Solid	Key isotopes	9Be
Electron configuration	[He] 2s2	CAS number	7440-41-7
ChemSpider ID	4573986	ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database

Properties of Beryllium

• It has high thermal conductivity, is non-magnetic, and can withstand intense nitric acid without being damaged.
• When exposed to air at room temperature and pressure, beryllium doesn’t oxidise.
• It is present in 30 distinct minerals, the most significant of which are bertrandite, phenakite, and beryl.
• When beryllium is in a soluble form, it can flow through the soil and into the plants grown there.

Points of Distinction between Beryllium and other alkaline earth metals

• The other family members are relatively soft in comparison to beryllium, which is quite hard.
• Only at extremely high temperatures does beryllium react with oxygen, whereas heating causes the other components to mix.
• Amphoteric in nature, beryllium oxide (BeO).
• Because of the strong polarising force and high positive charge density of the Be2+ ion, beryllium compounds are primarily covalent.
• The alkaline earth metals, with the exception of beryllium, react with hydrogen when heated to create metal hydrides.
• Although other alkaline earth metals evolved hydrogen from diluted acid, beryllium does not.
• While other alkaline earth metals react when heated, beryllium does not react with water at all.

Uses of Beryllium

• Used as an alloying component is beryllium.
• It has a wide temperature range thermal stability, high strength, non-magnetic characteristics, and improved resistance.
• An example of how beryllium is utilized in the aerospace and defense industries is when it is fused with copper to create alloys.

Certain Facts About Beryllium

• The most valuable beryl varieties are aquamarine and emerald. The mineral form of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate is called Beryl.
• Beryllium is used in X-ray diagnostic detection since it can pass through the latter.

Frequently Asked Questions- FAQs

What do they use beryllium for?

Used as an alloying component is beryllium. Gyroscopes, springs, electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes, and non-sparking tools are all made using it in alloys with copper or nickel. Copper and beryllium can be melted to create alloys that are employed in the aerospace and defence sectors.

Is beryllium harmful to humans?

Beryllium is a chemical that is known to cause cancer. The exposed bodily parts, such as the eyes or skin, may become injured through direct contact with beryllium fumes or dust.

3. Where is beryllium found?

The three most significant minerals that contain beryllium are bertrandite, phenakite, and beryl. It is typically found in igneous (volcanic) rocks and is part of the Earth’s crust. Nearly two-thirds of the world’s beryllium production comes from the state of Utah, which also accounts for the majority of beryllium mining and extraction in Russia and the United States.

4. Is beryllium used in cell phones?

Copper and beryllium can be melted to create alloys that are used to make computer hardware, cell phones, and telecommunications infrastructure.

5. What reacts with beryllium?

Beryllium reacts with oxygen at a very high temperature (above 600℃) to form beryllium oxide.
2Be + O₂ → 2BeO