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Beryllium

Light alkaline earth metal with atomic number 4.

Be

Beryllium (Be) is a light, strong alkaline earth metal with atomic number 4. It has a grayish-white appearance and is valued for its stiffness, lightness, and high melting point. Beryllium is used in alloys to increase strength and rigidity, as well as in specialized applications like aerospace components, nuclear reactors, and X-ray windows.

Etymology

Beryllium is named after the mineral beryl, from Greek 'beryllos'.

Explain Like I’m 5

Beryllium is a lightweight metal, like aluminum but stronger, used in things like aircraft and X-ray windows.

Fun Facts

Beryllium is one of the few metals that expands when cooled
It was once thought to be a gemstone called 'jargoon'
Albert Einstein's famous equation E=mc² was proven using beryllium

FAQ

What is beryllium? It's a metal
What are its uses? Aircraft, X-ray windows, and alloys
Is it common? No, it's relatively rare

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

alkaline earth metal element

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

periodic table

Indexes

chemical substance element metal

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