Barium
| Atomic Number: | 56 |
| Symbol: | Ba |
| Atomic Weight: | 137.33 |
| Discovery: | Davy 1808 |
| Electron Configuration: | [Xe]6s2 |
| Word Origin: | Greek barys, heavy |
| Isotopes: | Natural barium is a mixture of seven stable isotopes. Thirteen radioactive isotopes are known to exist. |
| Properties: | Barium has a melting point of 725°C, boiling point of 1640°C, specific gravity of 3.5 (20°C), with a valence of 2. Barium is a soft metallic element. In its pure form, it is silvery white. The metal oxidizes readily and should be stored under petroleum or other oxygen-free liquids. Barium decomposes in water or alcohol. Impure barium sulfide phosphoresces following exposure to light. All barium compounds that are soluble in water or acid are poisonous. |
| Uses: | Barium is used as a 'getter' in vacuum tubes. Its compounds are used in pigments, paints, glassmaking, as weighting compounds, in the manufacture of rubber, in rat poison, and in pyrotechnics. |
| Sources: | Barium is only found combined with other elements, primarily in barite or heavy spar (sulfate) and witherite (carbonate). The element is prepared by the electrolysis of its chloride. |
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