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Understanding the element
Beryllium (Be) is chemical element 4. It belongs to the alkaline-earth metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.
Where do we encounter it?
In practice, it turns up most often in aerospace, X-ray windows and alloys.
aerospaceX-ray windowsalloys
Standard atomic weight9.0121831(5)
What its position in the table tells us
Beryllium sits in period 2, group 2 and the S block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.
Worth remembering
Beryllium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses
Beryllium has a characteristic place in the periodic table that helps explain both its chemistry and its practical uses