What is the Difference Between Beryllium and Magnesium?

Beryllium and magnesium are two adjacent alkaline earth metals in the periodic table, with beryllium in the 2nd period and magnesium in the 3rd period. They share some similarities but also have notable differences:

1. Electronic Structure: Beryllium has two energy levels containing its electrons, while magnesium has three energy levels containing its electrons.
2. Size: Beryllium has a smaller ionic radius (0.3 Å) than magnesium (0.65 Å). This leads to a higher charge density for beryllium, which influences its chemical behavior.
3. Covalent vs. Ionic Character: Beryllium is considered to be even more covalent than magnesium due to its small size and high charge density. Beryllium forms covalent compounds or strongly solvated cations, similar to its diagonal analog, aluminum. In contrast, magnesium forms ionic compounds with a smaller tendency towards covalency.
4. Reactivity: Beryllium is relatively unreactive at room temperature, especially in its massive form. Magnesium, on the other hand, is more electropositive than beryllium and reacts more readily with most nonmetals.
5. Melting and Boiling Points: Beryllium has higher melting and boiling points compared to magnesium.
6. Magnetic Properties: Beryllium is diamagnetic, while magnesium is paramagnetic.

In summary, beryllium and magnesium are both alkaline earth metals with some similar properties, but they also exhibit distinct differences in their electronic structure, size, reactivity, and magnetic properties.

Comparative Table: Beryllium vs Magnesium

Beryllium and magnesium are two chemical elements in the same group (alkaline earth metals) but in different periods in the periodic table. Here is a table summarizing the differences between them:

The key difference between beryllium and magnesium is that beryllium atom has two energy levels containing its electrons, whereas magnesium atom has three energy levels containing its electrons. Beryllium is smaller and has a higher charge density than magnesium, which results in different covalent properties.