Properties

Atomic Number	4
CAS Registry Number	7440-41-7
Chemical Symbol	Be

History

The atomic number is 4 and the chemical symbol is Be. The name derives from the Greek word berryllos for Beryl (3BeO.Al203.6Si02) the gem-stone in which it is found. It was discovered by the French chemist and pharmacist Nicholas-Louis Vauquelin in beryl and emerald in 1797. The element was first separated in 1828 by the French chemist Antoine-Alexandre�Brutus Bussy and independently by the German chemist Friedrich Wohler. Since the salts of beryllium have a sweet taste the element was also known for many years by the symbol GI and the name glucinium from the Greek glykys for sweet until IUPAC information. Thes CNIC selected the name beryllium in 1949 based on consideration of prevailing usage.

Holden, Norman E., (2004). History of the origin of the chemical elements and their discoverers. National Nuclear Data Center. Retrieved from http://www.nndc.bnl.gov/content/elements.html