Enter the formula for the compound beryllium oxide. Express your answer as a chemical formula.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The chemical formula for beryllium oxide is BeO.
Explanation:
Beryllium oxide is an inorganic compound formed by the combination of the elements beryllium (Be) and oxygen (O). To understand the chemical formula BeO, it is important to know the basic principles of ionic bonding and the typical oxidation states of beryllium and oxygen.
- Beryllium (Be):
- Beryllium is an alkaline earth metal, found in Group 2 of the periodic table.
- It has an atomic number of 4 and commonly forms ions with a +2 charge by losing two electrons.
- This means beryllium will typically have a valence electron configuration of 1s²2s², and after losing the two electrons from the 2s orbital, it forms a Be²⁺ ion.
- Oxygen (O):
- Oxygen is a non-metal found in Group 16 of the periodic table.
- Oxygen atoms typically form ions with a -2 charge by gaining two electrons to complete their valence shell, achieving the stable electron configuration of a noble gas.
- As a result, oxygen forms an O²⁻ ion.
- Formation of Beryllium Oxide (BeO):
- Since beryllium has a +2 charge (Be²⁺) and oxygen has a -2 charge (O²⁻), they combine in a 1:1 ratio to form a neutral ionic compound.
- Therefore, the simplest formula for beryllium oxide is BeO, where the charges on the ions balance each other out.
- Bonding in BeO:
- Beryllium oxide is an ionic compound, meaning that the beryllium ion (Be²⁺) and the oxygen ion (O²⁻) are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction. These forces form a strong ionic bond.
- The compound has a high melting point and is a white, crystalline solid at room temperature.
- Physical Properties:
- Beryllium oxide is used in various applications due to its high thermal conductivity and electrical insulating properties. It is commonly used in electronics, nuclear reactors, and high-temperature applications.