Barium
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| General Properties | |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 56 |
| Atomic mass | 137.327amu |
| Atomic radius | 253pm |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 6s2 |
| Density | 3.62g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 727°C |
| Boiling point | 1845°C |
| First discovered/ developed | 1808 |
| Most common compound on Earth | BaSO4 (Barite ore) |
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Description and uses
Barium is the 56th element of the periodic table. It was discovered in 1808 when Humphry Davy produced pure barium via electrolysis. Barium is quite toxic.
Due to its toxicity, barium is not a commonly used element. However, barium sulfate is safe to eat, as it is not water or acid soluble. Barium scatters x-rays,
and barium's main use is in x-rays of the stomach and intestines.
Barium has 7 naturally occurring isotopes, with atomic masses ranging from 130 to 138. The most abundant barium isotope is 138Ba, with an abundance of
around 71.7%.