4BeBeryllium9.01218315[He] 2s²
alkaline earth metal

Beryllium

Beryllium is a chemical element with symbol Be and atomic number 4. It is created through stellar nucleosynthesis and is a relatively rare element in the universe. It is a divalent element which occurs naturally only in combination with other elements in minerals.

Electronic structure

A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.

Electrons by shell
Electron configuration
2s2
Properties

At a glance

Atomic number
4
Atomic mass
9.012183 u
Phase
Solid
Density
1.85 g/cm³
Melting point
1,560 K
Boiling point
2,742 K
First ionization energy
899.5 kJ/mol
Electronegativity
1.57
Electron affinity
-48 kJ/mol
Molar heat capacity
16.443 J/(mol·K)
Period
2
Appearance
white-gray metallic

Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.

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