Periodic table / Beryllium

Overview

Beryllium is a chemical element with symbol Be and atomic number 4. It is created through stellar nucleosynthesis and is a relatively rare element in the universe. It is a divalent element which occurs naturally only in combination with other elements in minerals.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Beryllium is [He] 2s2, with electron shells of 2, 2.

Physical and chemical properties

Beryllium is classified as a alkaline earth metal. It has an atomic mass of 9.012 and exists as a solid at standard conditions, appearing as white-gray metallic.

Real-world uses of Beryllium

Beryllium and other alkaline earth metals are commonly used in alloys, industrial compounds, and in some cases in medical or agricultural applications.

Interesting facts about Beryllium

• Beryllium has the atomic number 4 and chemical symbol Be.
• It belongs to period 2, group 2 of the periodic table.
• Beryllium was discovered by Louis Nicolas Vauquelin.

Explore Beryllium interactively

Want to compare Beryllium with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on Be to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.