Beryllium
Chemical Element
Hannah Weare
Mr.Miller
Physical Science
22 December 2015
Louis Nicolas Vauquelin, a French man discovered beryllium in the oxide form in both beryl and emeralds in 1798. Beryllium is a gray-white metal. The element was found in emeralds and beryl.The new element finally succeeded in 1828 when two chemists, Friedrich Wolhler of Germany and A. Bussy of France. They produced beryllium by reducing beryllium chloride with potassium in a platinum crucible. Today, beryllium is obtained from the minerals beryl and bertrandite through a chemical process or through the electrolysis of a mixture of beryllium chloride and sodium chloride.
How is Beryllium used
Beryllium is used as an alloying agent in producing beryllium copper, which is used for springs, electrical contacts, spot welding electrodes, and non sparking tools, structural high speed aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, communication satellites, phones, and x-rays.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Beryllium
Physical:
Despite how light it is for a metal, beryllium has a really high melting point. It has a high modulus of elasticity that is fifty percent greater than steel, according with a low density giving it a fast sound conduction speed. Beryllium resists oxidation and resists corrosion in the air.Chemical:
Beryllium reacts with acids and water to form hydrogen gas. It reacts with oxygen in the air to form beryllium oxide. The beryllium oxide forms a thin skin on the surface of the metal that prevents the metal from reacting further with oxygen.
Where Beryllium is Found in Nature
Interesting Facts
Named after beryllos, the Greek name for the mineral beryl, the element was originally known as glucinium from Greek glykys, meaning "sweet" for its taste. But the chemists who discovered this property of beryllium also found that it is toxic and should therefore never be tasted. The metal, its alloys and salts should only be handled in accordance with specific work codes.
Period: 2
Atomic Number: 4
Atomic Mass: 9.012
Number of Protons: 4
Number of Electrons: 4
Number of Neutrons: 5
Group: 2
Family: It is in the alkaline earth family