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4 · Be

Beryllium

The earth is identified by Vauquelin in 1798. The metal is isolated in 1828 by Wöhler and Bussy.

Identity

Atomic number
4
Symbol
Be
Canonical name
Beryllium
Category
alkaline earth metal
Group
2
Period
2
Block
s

Properties

These quantities come from the Periodic Table JSON compilation. They have not yet been checked, one by one, against CIAAW atomic weights or NIST measurements. A value marked estimated is not a measurement.

Atomic mass
9.012183 u
Electron configuration
[He] 2s2
Electrons per shell
2, 2
Standard state
solid
Density
1.85 g/cm³
Melting point
1,560 K
Boiling point
2,742 K
Electronegativity
1.57 Pauling
First ionization energy
899.5 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
-48 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

This summary is not an inventory of every isotope.

  • Be-9 · 100 % · stable

History

A new earth in beryl

Identification · confirmed · 1798

Vauquelin shows that beryl and emerald contain an earth distinct from alumina.

Isolation of the metal

Isolation · jointly credited · 1828

Wöhler and Bussy obtain the metal independently. This is not the 1798 discovery of the earth.

See the element timeline

Etymology

Theme
mineral
Language
grec
Root
beryllos
Meaning
beryl

Scientists

Places and institutions

  • Paris — historical setting : France — present country : France

See also

Sources