4

Beryllium

Alkaline EarthSolid
Atomic Number4
Atomic Mass9.012 u
CategoryAlkaline Earth
State at Room TempSolid
Year Discovered1798

About Beryllium

Extremely lightweight but very stiff. Used in the James Webb Space Telescopes mirrors. Toxic if inhaled as dust, causing chronic beryllium disease. Transparent to X-rays, making it ideal for X-ray equipment windows. The primary element in emeralds and aquamarine through its mineral beryl.

More Alkaline Earths