Light metal

Light metals are metals of low atomic weight.

The cut off between light metals and heavy metals varies.

Lithium, beryllium, sodium, magnesium and aluminium are almost always included. Additional metals up to nickel are often included as well.

Metals heavier than nickel are usually called heavy metals. Light metals are generally less toxic than heavy metals.

Beryllium is toxic, but it is rarely found in large concentrations. Vanadium, not always counted as a light metal, is also toxic. Other light metals are toxic in large amounts.

General properties

Name, symbol, number beryllium, Be, 4

Pronunciation /bəˈrɪliəm/ bə-RIL-ee-əm

Element category alkaline earth metal

Group, period, block 2, 2, s

Standard atomic weight 9.012182g·mol−1

Electron configuration 1s2 2s2

Electrons per shell 2, 2 (Image)

Physical properties