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A Simple Note on Similarities Between Beryllium And Aluminium

The elements organised in the periodic table in the horizontal and vertical positions are organised in such a manner that they establish a relationship between each other in terms of the similarities they exhibit within their properties. Taking into the context of this formation there are extensive similarities between Beryllium and Aluminium as well. Beryllium and Aluminium have the same electro-negativity values due to this concept of diagonal relationship. There are other similarities as well between these two elements, the charge units per unit area of these two elements are closed.

“Beryllium and Aluminium have the same electro-negativity values”: discussion

In the periodic table, the two elements Beryllium and Aluminium are positioned in such an order that these two elements are diagonal to each other in the table. Similarly, these two elements display a relationship that extends to several of their distinct properties; this relationship is termed the diagonal relationship. This relationship is said to exist between the first 20 elements in the periodic table, which are arranged in the diagonally adjacent second and third periods. One of these pairs is Beryllium and Aluminium, which exhibit a relationship in some of their properties. For example, Beryllium and Aluminium have the same electro-negativity values. 

“Changes per unit area between Beryllium and Aluminium is closed”: discussion

The first 20 elements arranged in the second and third periods of the periodic table display the propriety of the diagonal relationship. While moving across the group the ionic sizes of the group decrease significantly due to their rise in their respective ionic charges. The gradual decrease in the ionic charges affects the polarising power as well. Moving right and across the group, the atomic radii of the elements decrease, when moving down the group the atomic radii of the elements increase over time. These changes are compensated while moving downwards diagonally.  Similar changes are seen in Beryllium and Aluminium and their changes per unit area are closed.

Similarities between Beryllium and Aluminium

There are several similarities between Beryllium and Aluminium, which are prevalent due to a diagonal relationship between these two elements existing in the second and third periods of the periodic table. The similarities are listed as follows.

  • Beryllium and Aluminium have the same electro-negativity values.
  • Their changes per unit area are closed.
  • A diametric structure is formed between BeCl3, AlCl3.These two compounds are also soluble in organic solvents, and these two compounds are considered strong Lewis acids. 
  • Hydroxides of Be and Al after dissolving in excess alkali generates ions. The ions retain a persistent tendency to form complexes.
  • Aluminium and Beryllium both are rendered passive by the usage of nitric acid.
  • These two elements are also metals and they form covalent bonds with their respective atoms.
  • These two elements have distinctively low melting points.
  • Hydroxides and oxides of these two elements are highly amphoteric by nature.
  • In reaction with hydrochloric acid, these two elements generate hydrogen gas.
  • Carbides of these two metals react with water to generate methane gas.

Distinct similarities between these two elements exist in the periodic table, which is diagonally arranged in the second and third periods of the table. Beryllium and Aluminium similar properties are seen due to the established diagonal relationship between these two metals relative to their ionic sizes.

Conclusion

Beryllium and Aluminium display diagonal relationships that establish certain distinct similarities between these two elements, which are relative to their ionic sizes that decrease going down a particular group resultantly exhibits a decrease in the polarising powers of the elements as well. Moving diagonally in the periodic table the polarising power increases due to an increase in charge of the ions, thereby compensating each other. Resultantly, Beryllium and Aluminium have the same electro-negativity values. There are other relationships as well between the metals in terms of their reactivity with other solvents. For example, reacting with hydrochloric acid, these two elements liberate significant amounts of hydrogen gas; carbines of these elements when reacted with water generate high amounts of methane.

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