Beryllium
Contents
Key Stage 2
Meaning
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Beryllium is a Group 2 element, on the Periodic Table, with an atomic number of 4.
About Beryllium
Molecular Structure
- Beryllium has the chemical symbol Be.
- Beryllium atoms join together in large numbers to form a giant metal molecule.
Atomic Structure
- Beryllium as 4 protons and 5 neutrons in its nucleus giving it an Atomic Number of 4 and an atomic mass of 9.
- An atom of Beryllium has only 2 electrons in its outer shell.
Properties
- Beryllium is the least reactive alkali earth metal.
- Beryllium is more reactive than Carbon on the reactivity series so it must be extracted from its ore using electrolysis.
- Beryllium reacts strongly with steam to produce Hydrogen gas and Beryllium Hydroxide and reacts strongly with acids to produce a Beryllium salt.
- Lithium is a solid at room temperature.
Key Stage 4
A 2 dimensional representation of the Bohr Model of a Beryllium-9 isotope with 4 protons and 5 neutrons in the nucleus and 2 electrons in the first shell and 2 in the outer shell.
Meaning
Beryllium is a Group 2 element, on the Periodic Table, with 4 protons in the nucleus.
About Beryllium
Molecular Structure
- Beryllium has the chemical symbol Be.
- Beryllium atoms join together in a giant metallic structure.
Atomic Structure
- The most stable isotope of Beryllium has 5 neutrons in its nucleus giving it an atomic mass of 9.
- An atom of Beryllium has only 2 electrons in its outer shell.
- Beryllium ions have lost two electrons to become positively charged.
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| A diagram showing the formation of a Beryllium ion. |
Properties
- Beryllium is the least reactive alkali earth metal.
- Beryllium is more reactive than Carbon on the reactivity series so it must be extracted from its ore using electrolysis.
- Beryllium reacts strongly with steam to produce Hydrogen gas and Beryllium Hydroxide and reacts strongly with acids to produce a Beryllium salt.
- Beryllium is a solid at standard temperature and pressure.
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| Beryllium always has 4 protons. The most stable isotope has 5 neutrons. | |