Periodic Table of WIS

Beryllium  Be

 

Where is beryllium used--or where does it impact our everyday lives?

Beryllium   Symbol: Be

Atomic number: 4       Atomic Mass: 9.01

Position on the periodic table: Group 2 Period 2

Alkaline Earth Metal

Melting point: 1,287 oC   (2,348.6 oF)

Boiling point: 2,471 oC   (4,479.8 oF)

Reaction with air (oxygen): unreactive—BeO surface coat.

No reaction with water

Electron configuration: 2, 2

Source: LANL.gov

Researcher Lilly A-D

 

 

 

 

 

Beryllium is present in the mineral beryl in emeralds

 

The image shows the center stone of the Inquisition necklace on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washingtom DC viewed on a Chemistry One field trip.  Shown in the image is the largest of 15 Colombian emeralds in the necklace and it is a 45 carat stone (1 carat = 0.2 g [0.007 oz])

 

Beryl, the mineral that makes up the gemstome, emerald, contains beryllium, Be.  The formula of beryl is Be3Al2(SiO3)6 .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spark-proof tools contain beryllium.  For tasks that might cause explosions with normal tools, for example around natural gas or volatile liquids, non-sparking copper tools are used.  A small amount (often ~1.8 %) of beryllium is alloyed with the copper to make a harder metal for hammers, wrenches, etc.

This hammer was used in the metal/metalloid/non-metal lab for the brittle/malleable investigations of elements by 9th and 10th grade Chemistry One students.

WIS Photographer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gadolinite Be2FeY2Si2O10, Tuflau, Frikstad, Norway viewed during a Chemistry One field trip to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, USA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and a second sample of gadolinite from Sactersdalen, Norway

WIS Photographer