INORGANIC CHEMISTRY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site beryllium (Be) A lightweight, corrosion-resistant, steel-gray metallic element. Beryllium is one of the alkaline earth metals. It is used as an aerospace structural material, as a moderator and reflector in nuclear reactors, and in a copper alloy used for springs, electrical contacts, and non-sparking tools. The segmented mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope will be made of beryllium. Beryllium was discovered by N. I. Vauquelin in 1797 but not extracted as a metal until 1828 by Friedrich Wöhler in Berlin and A. A. B. Bussy in Paris. Its name comes from the Greek beryllos for the semi-precious stone beryl, from which beryllium is derived. Beryllium and its compounds are very poisonous, and inhalation can lead to an incurable inflammation of the lungs called berylliosis. atomic number 4 relative atomic mass 9.0122 electron configuration 1s22s2 ionization energy first: 899 kJ/mol second: 1,757 kJ/mol atomic radius 111 pm ionic radius 35 pm melting point 1,287 °C (2,349 °F) boiling point 2,500 °C (4,532 °F) relative density 1.848 Related category    • INORGANIC CHEMISTRY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP