MINOR METALS

A  divalent  element, beryllium is found naturally only combined with other elements in minerals. Notable gemstones which contain beryllium include  beryl  ( aquamarine ,  emerald ) and  chrysoberyl . The free element is a steel-gray, strong, lightweight brittle  alkaline earth metal . It is primarily used as a hardening agent in  alloys , notably  beryllium copper . Structurally, beryllium's very low density (1.85 times that of water), high melting point (1287 °C), high temperature stability and low coefficient of thermal expansion, make it in many ways an ideal aerospace material, and it has been used in rocket nozzles and is a significant component of planned space telescopes. Detailed description Because of its relatively high transparency to X-rays and other  ionizing radiation  types, beryllium also has a number of uses as filters and windows for radiation and particle physics experiments. Commercial use of beryllium metal presents technical challenges due to the toxi

Arsenic  (   / ˈ ɑr s ə n ɪ k /   ARS - ə -nik , also  / ɑr ˈ s ɛ n ɪ k /   ar- SEN -ik  when attributive) is the  chemical element  that has the symbol  As ,  atomic number  33 and  relative atomic mass  74.92. Arsenic was first documented by  Albertus Magnus  in 1250. [4]  Arsenic is a notoriously poisonous  metalloid . It can exist in various  allotropes , although only the grey form is important in a technical sense. Arsenic occurs in many minerals, mainly associated with sulfur and metals. Arsenic and its compounds, especially the trioxide, are mainly used in the production of  pesticides ,  herbicides ,  insecticides , but these applications are declining. [5]  Arsenic is also a common n-type  dopant  in  semiconductor  electronic devices. The occurrence of arsenic in drinking water is problematic in some parts of the world. Detailed distribution  Occurrence and production Minerals  with the formula MAsS and MAs 2  (M = Fe, Ni, Co) are the dominant commercial sources of ar

Antimony  (pronounced  /ˈæntɨmɵnɪ/   AN-ti-mo-nee ); [note 2]   Latin :  stibium ) is a  chemical element  with the symbol  Sb  and an  atomic number  of 51. It has two stable isotopes, one with seventy neutrons, the other with seventy-two. A silvery lustrous grey  metalloid , it is found mainly as antimony sulfide, commonly known as  stibnite . Elemental antimony has applications in  electronics  and as an alloy with other metals it is used for  small arms  ammunition. Detailed descriptin: Etymology The ancient words for antimony mostly have, as their chief meaning,  kohl , the sulfide of antimony.  Pliny the Elder , however, distinguishes between male and female forms of antimony; his male form is probably the sulfide, while the female form, which is superior, heavier, and less friable, is probably native metallic antimony. History Antimony's sulfide compound,  antimony(III) sulfide , Sb 2 S 3  was recognized in antiquity, at least as early as  3000 BC . An artifact

Zircon   ( pronunciation:   /ˈzɜːrkɒn/ [5] [6]   or   /ˈzɜːrkən/ ; [7] ) is a   mineral   belonging to the group of   nesosilicates . Its chemical name is   zirconium silicate   and its corresponding chemical formula is   Zr SiO 4 . A common empirical formula showing some of the range of substitution in zircon is (Zr 1–y ,   REE y )(SiO 4 ) 1–x (OH) 4x–y . Zircon forms in silicate melts with large proportions of   high field strength incompatible elements . For example,   hafnium   is almost always present in quantities ranging from 1 to 4%. The crystal structure of zircon is   tetragonal   crystal system .   Detailed description The natural color of zircon varies between colorless, yellow-golden, red, brown, blue, and green. Colorless specimens that show gem quality are a popular substitute for   diamond   and are also known as "Matura diamond". The name derives from the   Persian   zargun   meaning gold-hued. [8]   This word is corrupted into " jargoon ",