Beryllium is transparent to X-rays, hence X-rays can easily pass through Beryllium.

Beryllium is the lightest alkaline earth metals.

Interesting facts about Beryllium element are mentioned below. This is because normal glass is made up of silica, which is dense and it has more protons and nucleus, which leads to more absorption of X-rays.) 8 Interesting Facts about Beryllium element (Note: If we compare the Beryllium metal and normal glass, then the Beryllium window is more transparent to X-rays than that of the normal glass. Hence, due to the small number of protons and neutrons, less core electrons, small size of nucleus and more distance between the atoms, the x-rays can easily pass through them. The density of Beryllium element is very less and this indicates that the atoms of Beryllium are far from each other. In other words, Beryllium has low mass absorption coefficient.Īlso the beryllium atom has only 2 shells, which indicates that the Atomic size of Beryllium is small. The beryllium atom has only 2 core electrons.īecause of very less core electrons, Beryllium can absorb very few X-rays compared to other elements. This makes the nucleus very small and compact. Let me give you a simple explanation of the above three points.īeryllium atom has only 4 protons and 5 neutrons.

Beryllium has low density (i.e the atoms in Beryllium are far from each other).

The reasons why the Beryllium window is transparent to X-rays are mentioned below. Hence, beryllium (Be) is not considered as alkaline earth metal. Hydroxides of beryllium does not show alkaline behavior, but it shows amphoteric behavior. Why is Beryllium (Be) not an alkaline earth metal?īeryllium (Be) is the only alkaline earth metal which does not form an alkaline solution on reacting with water. See the bold word “alkaline” and “earth” in the above 2 points, you will get the exact reason why they are called alkaline earth metals.

Their oxide minerals (BeO, beryl, MgO, magnesite, etc) are mostly found from the earth crust and are stable to heat.

On reacting with water, they form hydroxides which are alkaline in nature and.

Those metals which fulfills following two criteria:

These metals are mostly found from the earth crust (in their oxides form) and these oxide minerals are stable to heat. So the above reaction shows that these metals form hydroxides which are alkaline (or basic having pH > 7) in nature. Nicholas Louis Vauquelin in 1798 CAS number HCP (Hexagonal closed packing) Melting point 1560 K or 1287 ☌ or 2349 ☏ Boiling point 2742 K or 2469 ☌ or 4476 ☏ Density 1.85 g/cm 3 Main isotope 9Be Who discovered Beryllium and when? Protons 4 Neutrons 5 Electrons 4 Symbol Be Atomic massĢ, 2 Electronic configuration 2s 2 Atomic radiusġ53 picometers (van der Waals radius) Valence electronsĢ 1st Ionization energy 9.323 eV Electronegativity

Metallic white-grey State (at STP) Solid Position in Periodic table

Beryllium Element (Be) Information Appearance So if you want to know anything about Beryllium element, then this guide is for you. In fact, the table mentioned below is the perfect information box (Which gives you every single detail about the Beryllium element in Periodic table.) This is a SUPER easy guide on Beryllium element.

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