4
Be
Beryllium
9.01218315

Beryllium (Be)

Alkaline Earth MetalGroup 2Period 2s-block-block

Beryllium is a chemical element with symbol Be and atomic number 4. It is created through stellar nucleosynthesis and is a relatively rare element in the universe. It is a divalent element which occurs naturally only in combination with other elements in minerals.

Latin name: Beryllium

Atomic Number
4
Atomic Mass
9.01218315 g/mol
Phase (STP)
Solid
Electron Config.
[He] 2s²

General

SymbolBe
Atomic Number4
Atomic Mass9.01218315 g/mol
CategoryAlkaline Earth Metal
Group2
Period2
Blocks-block
Electron Configuration[He] 2s²
Valence Electrons2
ColourWhite-gray metallic
Appearancewhite-gray metallic
CAS NumberCAS7440-41-7

Physical Properties

Phase (STP)Solid
Density1.85 g/cm³
Melting Point1286.85°C · 2348.33°F · 1560.00 K
Boiling Point2468.85°C · 4475.93°F · 2742.00 K

Atomic Properties

Atomic Radius112 pm
Covalent Radius96 pm
Electronegativity1.57 Pauling
Ionization Energy899 kJ/mol
Oxidation States+2
Ion ChargeBe²⁺

Thermodynamic

Molar Heat16.443 J/(mol·K)
Thermal Conductivity200 W/(m·K)

Electromagnetic

Electrical TypeConductor

Crystal Structure

Crystal StructureHexagonal close-packed

Mechanical Properties

Mohs Hardness5.5

Abundance

In Universe0.00001%
In Sun0.000000001%
In Earth's Crust0.0280%
In Oceans0.00000000006%
In Humans0.000000004%
In Meteorites0.0003%

Discovery & History

Discovery Year1798
Discovered ByLouis Nicolas Vauquelin

Isotopes of Beryllium

IsotopeAbundanceHalf-lifeDecay
Be-753.22 daysEC, β⁺
Be-9100%Stable
Be-101.39 × 10⁶ yearsβ⁻

External References

← 3 Lithium5 Boron →