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Bill W

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The word "beryllium" comes from the Greek word beryllos, which means "green gemstone" or "beryl ore". The name was first used in English in 1797 by Sir Humphry Davy. 
 
Before it was named beryllium, the element was known as glucinium, which comes from the Greek word glykys meaning "sweet". This was because early chemists thought the element had a sweet taste and tasted it to determine its properties. However, they later discovered that beryllium is highly toxic and should never be tasted. 
 
In 1949, IUPAC chose beryllium as the official name for the element, which became official in 1957. 
 
Beryllium is a steel-gray metal with many desirable properties, including high melting point, high tensile strength, and excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. It is used in a variety of applications, including as an alloying agent in beryllium copper, and as a structural material in aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, and communication satellites. 
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JamesSavik

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Eighty-seven percent of the world's supply of beryllium is mined in Utah. It's an important additive in alloys of copper and steel, used in reactors and nuclear weapons, X-ray tubes and the magnetrons of microwave ovens. It is a listed carcinogen, so use appropriate measures when handling or working with beryllium. 

 

Fun story: As a young nerd, I built a collection of element samples. I had small amounts of various elements in glass vials. Some idiot told the Resident Ass...sistant in the dorm I had dangerous, possible bomb making chemicals in my dorm room. On the way back from my networks class, I was tackled and arrested by a couple of deputy sheriffs.

After viewing what I had, one of the chemistry professors told the cops that what I had was harmless and stored appropriately. No bombs or nefarious things could be done with the small samples I had. It was a false alarm and no terrorist bombs could be made with it. They were still a little freaked out by the uranium ore and thorianite being slightly radioactive. Thankfully, they let the bong slide.

What's a few alpha particles among friends?

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