Beryllium
Beryllium is a solid gray silver metal when it is a room temperature (22 Cº)
Chemical Symbol:
Be
The structure of a beryllium atom
Atomic Number:
4
Period:
2
Family:
Alkaline Earth Metals
Group:
2A
Atomic Mass:
9.01
Boiling Point:
Melting Point:
2970 Cº
1278 Cº
Beryllium is used in parts of spacecrafts, aircrafts, missiles, and some cars. It is almost transparent to x-rays, so it is also used in radiation windows for x-ray tubes.
Uses
Fun Facts:
-Beryllium has the highest melting point of all light metals
-Aquamarine and emerald are precious forms of the mineral beryl which contains beryllium
-Beryllium compounds are highly toxic
Beryllium
By Magda Andrews-Hoke
The mining of beryllium minerals takes place in many countries in Africa, such as Zambia and Zimbabwe. Beryllium ore production also takes place in the United states.
Mining
History
Beryllium was discovered in 1797 by Vauquelin, a French chemist. He also discovered chromium and lithium.