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beryllium [Be]
Named for the mineral beryl. Discovered in 1798 by French chemist Nicholas Vauquelin. First isolated in 1828.
Occurrence:
1) relatively rare
2) found in 30 different minerals
Characteristics:
- a steel gray light strong brittle toxic bivalent metallic element
Uses:
- as an alloy with copper, aluminum or nickel
a) hardening agent
b) imparts electrical & thermal conductivity to alloys
c) applied as a structural material for high-speed aircraft & spacecraft
Pathology: (Toxicology)
- inhalation of finely powdered berylium compounds can lead to berylliosis
Laboratory:
- beryllium in specimen
- beryllium in air
- beryllium in water
- beryllium in hair
- beryllium in tissue
- beryllium in body fluid
- beryllium in blood
- beryllium in saliva
- beryllium in serum/plasma
- beryllium in urine
Related
periodic table
General
alkaline earth metal
Properties
SIZE: AW = 9.0122
atomic number
VALUE: 4
VALENCE: HE 2S2
References
- Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam-
Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
- Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003