Beryllium

Discovery date: 1797

Discovered by : Nicholas Louis Vauquelin
Origin of the name: The name is derived from the Greek name for
beryl, 'beryllo'.
IMAGE EXPLANATION – Beryllium is used in gears and cogs
particularly in the aviation industry.
APPEARANCE - Beryllium is a silvery-white
metal. It is relatively soft and has a low density.
USES - Beryllium is used in alloys with copper
or nickel to make gyroscopes, springs,
electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes
and non-sparking tools. Mixing beryllium with
these metals increases their electrical and
thermal conductivity.
HISTORY -The gemstones beryl and emerald are both forms of
beryllium aluminium silicate, Be3Al2(SiO3)6. The French mineralogist
Abbé René-Just Haüy thought they might harbour a new element, and
he asked Nicholas Louis Vauquelin, to analyse them and he realised
they harboured a new metal and he investigated it. In February 1798
Vauquelin announced his discovery at the French Academy and
named the element glaucinium (Greek glykys = sweet) because its
compounds tasted sweet. Others preferred the name beryllium, based
on the gemstone, and this is now the official name.