Atomic number:4

Group numbers:2

Period:2

Electronic configuration:[He] 2s²

Formal oxidation number:+2

Electronegativities:1.57

Atomic radius / pm:111.3

Relative atomic mass:9.012182 ± 0.000003

 

Beryllium was discovered by Louis-Nicholas Vauquelin (FR) in 1798. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word beryllos meaning mineral beryl; also called glucinium from the Greek word glykys meaning sweet. It is a steel-grey metal resistant to attack by concentrated nitric acid. It has excellent thermal conductivity and is nonmagnetic. At ordinary temperatures, it resists oxidation in air. Beryllium and its salts are toxic and should be handled with the greatest of care. Beryllium is found mostly in minerals like beryl [AlBe3(Si6O18)] and chrysoberyl (Al2BeO4). Pure beryllium is obtained by chemically reducing beryl mineral and by electrolysis of beryllium chloride. Its ability to absorb large amounts of heat makes it useful in spacecrafts, missiles, aircrafts, etc. Emeralds are beryl crystals with chromium traces giving them their green colour.

Density / g dm^-3:1847.7 (293 K)

Molar volume / cm³mol^-1:4.88 (293 K)

Electrical resistivity / μΩcm:4 (20 °C)

Thermal conductivity / W m^-1K^-1:200

Melting point / °C:1287

Boiling point / °C:2471

Heat of fusion / kJ mol^-1:9.8

Heat of vaporization / kJ mol^-1:308.8

Heat of atomization / kJ mol^-1:320.3

1st ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:899.51

2nd ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:1757.12

3rd ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:14848.87

in the atmosphere / ppm:-

in the Earth's crust / ppm:1.5

in the oceans / ppm:0.00005