Four left for Fearless’ fearless foray into the elements of
the periodic table, which brings us to…
Beryllium
Beryllium is an element you are not likely to find in these
parts…or any parts, actually, either on earth or in the universe. Even its ultimate manufacture is a rare
event. It is produced in stars, but it
exists only briefly, destroyed by subsequent nuclear fusion in a star’s
interior. By the time a star matures,
perhaps only 15 percent of the beryllium it produced is still around.
Here on earth, beryllium exists only incombination with
other elements in minerals, often in gemstones such as emeralds or aquamarine
(forms of “beryl”). It possesses an odd
physical characteristic in that sound is conducted unusually fast in it, a
product of its low density.
Its history begins in Egypt when it had applications as the
mineral “beryl.” In first century Rome,
Pliny the Elder made the link between beryl and emerald, noting their
similarities. Two centuries later, the
Greeks made progress in producing artificial beryl.
It would not be until the late 18th century,
however, that more sophisticated chemical analysis could be performed on the
substance. Chemists in Germany and (yes)
Sweden performed experiments on beryl and emerald that yielded consistent, if
false, results. They thought that they
found silicates of aluminum, not a distinct element.
At the dawn of the 19th century, Louis-Nicolas
Vauquelin subjected emerald to his own chemical analysis, dissolving aluminum
hydroxide from emerald in an alkali solution.
He was left with a new earth that he named “glucine.” Why?
Because he tasted it (idiot) and found it to be sweet, like “glucose”
(sugar). Martin Henirich Klaproth, one
of the early experimenters who thought he had aluminum silicate, thought a
better name would be “beryllina,” perhaps named for his daughter (no, not
really). Friedrich Wöhler put an end to
the nonsense and finally called the new element “beryllium.”
Today, most applications for beryllium are military in
nature, but it does nave limited commercial applications. Those would include its use in x-ray
applications. However, because of the need for extremely pure samples, it is
very expensive. It is also used in
particle research, its low density being a benefit to minimize interactions
with particles that researchers wish to study.
It has applications in rocketry, primarily in the
manufacture of rocket nozzles, and in other aerospace sectors because of its
structural stability. One of the more
exotic applications is in weather satellites where its low density and structural
stability make it uniquely capable for use in large-area mirrors employed in
such satellites. It is an element in the
manufacture of tools used in the disposal of explosive ordinance, since it is
non-magnetic (many explosive devices have magnetic fuses). Closer to home, or at least your home, it
occasionally shows up in top-of-the-line audio speaker equipment.
What we have is an element that is short-lived, has some
rather specialized uses, is found in gemstones, is characterized by high sound
conductivity, and is low in density. It
sounds a bit like a player who might not have been around these parts long, had
special talents on special teams, is slight of build, but who “conducts sound”
by mouthing off on occasion to officials.
Beryllium… the “Mike Ribeiro” of the elements of the periodic
table.