Beryllium is element number 4, a metal with the symbol Be. Its name comes from beryl, a mineral that contains beryllium.
Atomic number 49.012
BeBerylliumベリリウム (beririumu)
Symbol
Be
Atomic weight
9.012
Place in the table
Period 2 · Group 2
Atomic weight from the Chemical Society of Japan, “Table of Standard Atomic Weights with Four Significant Figures (2026)”.
Named for beryl
The symbol Be comes from the Latin beryllium, from beryllos, the Greek word for beryl. Beryl is a mineral made of beryllium, aluminium, silicon and oxygen.
Beryllium was discovered in 1798. Many element names come from the names of minerals, like this one.
Where it sits on the table
Beryllium is in the second row of Group 2. Directly below it is magnesium, and below that, calcium.
Its atomic weight is 9.012, making it the second-lightest metal element after lithium.
Think about it
Q1Why do you think element names often come from the names of minerals?
Q2Besides beryllium, which elements are in beryl?
Q3Beryllium shares a column with magnesium and calcium. What properties might it have?
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.
Did you know? — Element names come from many sources: people, myths, heavenly bodies, countries, places, minerals, plants, colors and properties.