Salts of beryllium is readily hydrolysed due to presence of vacant p - orbital.

Why is beryllium important?

Beryllium is used in gears and cogs particularly in the aviation industry. Beryllium is a silvery-white metal. It is relatively soft and has a low density. Beryllium is used in alloys with copper or nickel to make gyroscopes, springs, electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes and non-sparking tools.

What are the properties of beryllium?

Beryllium is a steel gray and hard metal that is brittle at room temperature and has a close-packed hexagonal crystal structure. It has exceptional stiffness (Young's modulus 287 GPa) and a melting point of 1287 C. The modulus of elasticity of beryllium is approximately 50% greater than that of steel.