4	Be	Beryllium
Atomic Weight: 9.01218				Shells: 2,2
Group: Alkali Earth Metals				Filling orbital: 2s2
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal				Covalent radius: 0.90 Å
Oxidation States: +2				Atomic radius: 1.40 Å
Electronegativity, Pauling: 1.57				Atomic volume: 5.0 cm³/mol
State at RT: Solid				First ionization potential: 9.322 V
Melting Point: 1551°K				2nd ionization potential: 18.211 V
Boiling Point: 3243°K				3rd ionization potential: 153.893 V
Density @ 293°K: 1.848 g/cm³				Specific heat: 1.82 J/gK
Electrical conductivity: 0.313 106/cm ohm				Heat of vaporization: 292.40 kJ/mol
Thermal conductivity: 2.00 W/cmK				Heat of fusion: 12.20 kJ/mol
Element Nuclides
Nuclide		Abundance	Weight	Spin	Half-Life	Decay Modes
Be7		0.%	7.0169	1.5	53.28d
Be9		100.%	9.0122	1.5		Stable
Be10		0.%	10.0135	0	2.6E06y	-

Name origin: From the mineral beryl.
Description: Strong, hard, gray-white metal. Lightest rigid metal. Formerly called glucinium (Gl).
Discovered by: Fredrich Wöhler, A.A.Bussy
Year: 1798
Location: Germany/France
Sources: Found mostly in minerals like beryl [AlBe3(Si₆O₁₈)] and chrysoberyl (Al₂BeO₄).
Uses: Its ability to absorb large amounts of heat makes it useful in spacecraft, missiles, aircraft, etc. Emeralds are beryl crystals with chromium traces giving them their green color.

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Registry Numbers

• CAS: 7440-41-7
• RTECS: DS1750000
• EPA: P015
• DOT (UN): 1567
• NFPA ratings (1-4)
  • Health: 4
  • Flammability: 1
  • Reactivity: 1

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Description
silvery material, resembling aluminum powder

Incompatabilities
acids and strong bases carbon tetrachloride, lithium and phos- phorous 3-chlorolithium

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From DOT Guidebook, Guide Number 32

Fire or Explosion Hazards
Will burn. May be ignited by heat, sparks and flames.
May burn rapidly with flare burning effect.

Health Hazards
Little immediate health hazard. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
Fire may produce irritating or poisonous gases. Runoff from fire control or
dilution water may cause pollution.

Emergency Action: General
Keep unnecessary people away. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas.
Isolate hazard area and deny entry.
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing.
Also, in case of water pollution call local authorities.
FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE CALL CHEMTREC (800) 424-9300

Emergency Action: Fire
SMALL FIRES: Dry chemical, sand, water spray, or foam.
LARGE FIRES: Water spray, fog or foam.
Move container from fire area if you can do it without risk.
Cool container that are exposed to flames with water from the side until well
after fire is out. For massive fire in cargo area, use manned hose holder or
monitor nozzles. If this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.
MAGNESIUM FIRES: Use dry sand, Met-L-X powder or G-1 graphite powder
DO NOT USE WATER.

Emergency Action: Spill or Leak
No flares, smoking or flames in hazard area.
Do not touch spilled material.
SMALL SPILLS: shovel into dry containers and cover; move containers; then flush
area with water.
LARGE SPILLS: Wet down with water and dike for later disposal

Emergency Action: First Aid
Move victim to fresh air; call emergency medical care.
In case of contact with material, immediately flush skin or eyes with running
water for at least 15 minutes. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and
shoes.

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Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Still More Information

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Return to the Periodic Table