In what items can I find the element Beryllium (Be)?

Answer 1

Hello =)

Virtually nothing around the house......the metal is rather poisonous. An entire generation of Beryllium workers died from exposure to it....

It was commonly used in the nose cones of missiles and rockets, however.

Namaste,

--Tom

Answer 2

Beryllium _dust_ is extremely toxic. A solid chunk of beryllium is not toxic.

It is also a very good neutron producer. When exposed to an alpha emitter (like Polonium 210), it produces a large number of neutrons. So much that it was used to help initiate the Fat Man-type nuclear bomb.

Beryllium would be a _very_ bad thing to use in a nuclear reactor control rod. Placing such a high neutron producer inside a reactor will only cause a higher energy reaction. Control rods are made of neutron absorbers (Boron, Gadolinium,)

Answer 3

Emerald (the mineral beryl) contains beryllium, but that's hardly a common item.

Beryllium is also used in alloys, especially copper, for certain properties. It can be found in some electrical things like electrodes, contacts, tools, computers.

It is used due to its light weight in the structure of some aircraft and spacecraft.

Also watch springs...

Answer 4

In a nuclear submarine. Beryllium is the lowest density neutron absorber. They use if for control rods nuclear subs. It is also very toxic stuff.

They are using Berylium – Aluminum alloys now in some advanced jet fighters. The alloy has a lower density than Aluminum, and it is very strong.

Answer 5

Beryllium is found in a number of minerals. The only places that you are likely to find it in everyday life though, are in things that contain "beryl" (Al2Be3Si6O18), which is a mineral component of the gemstones aquamarine & emerald.

Answer 6

Beryllium is used to produce tools to be used in the presence of flammable vapors and explosives. It is relatively spark proof. Ordinary tools made of ferrous materials can create sparks if dropped, or banged against other materials.