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Beryllium (Be)
Element with atomic number 4, category: Alkaline earth metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 4 of 118
Alkaline earth metal
Beryllium
Group 2, Period 2
Common Uses
Aircraft alloys, X-ray windows
Electron Diagram
About Beryllium
Beryllium is a chemical element with the symbol Be and atomic number 4, meaning every atom has 4 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Alkaline earth metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 9.012 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Beryllium sits in group 2, period 2, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Beryllium
In daily life and industry, Beryllium is used for Aircraft alloys, X-ray windows. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Alkaline earth metal category.
Electron Structure of Beryllium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Beryllium has 2 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 2 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.