Everything you need to know about Barium

To discover everything you need to know about the element Barium, simply continue reading to discover a handy guide to Barium.

Everything you need to know about Barium:

Classification:
Is Barium a metal nonmetal or metaloid? Barium is classed as an Earth metal.

Atomic number:

Barium has the atomic number 56.

Symbol:

Barium’s atomic symbol is BA.

Appearance:

Barium is silver in color and is a soft, pliable metal. Barium has a tendency to tarnish quickly when it is exposed to air and also is known to react to water. When Barium is ultra pure it sometimes has a slightly golden tinge.

Typical uses:

Barium is sometimes used in drilling fluids, that businesses use that operate in the mining and oil industries. Less commonly Barium is also sometimes used as an ingredient in paint.

Barium is also used in the health care industry. A type of non toxic Barium, Barium Sulfate is occasionally prescribed to patients who complain of serious digestive issues.

Once ingested Barium Sulfate is processed by the patients’ stomach and intestines and shows up on x-rays and allows doctors to analyse a patients stomach and intestines as Barium Sulfate is a heavy element and shows up well in x-rays. You may be surprised to read that Barium has been used in x-rays since 1908.

Is Barium toxic?

Yes, Barium is toxic and all Barium compounds are classed as being toxic. Which is one reason why Barium is not used as commonly as other metals. However, Barium Sulfate which was mentioned above is not toxic and can be safely consumed.Barium Ion is often used in pesticide products as its so toxic.

How toxic is Barium to humans? Barium is extremely poisonous and even one gram of Barium can be lethal if its ingested by humans. Individuals who accidentally consume Barium are instructed to drink water in order to flush the barium which they have ingested out of their system.

Does Barium have a known biological role?

No, Barium doesn’t have a clear, known biological purpose. However, Barium Sulfate can be found in one species of algae.

Is Barium ever found with other compounds?

Yes, in fact Barium is only found with other compounds. As examples Barium combined with Barite is called Barium Sulfate and Barium which is combined with Whiterite is known as Barium Carbonate.

How is Barium created?

There are two known ways to produce Barium. The first way to produce Barium involves performing electrolysis on Molten Barium Chloride, while the second method of producing Barium entails heating Barium Oxide with Aluminium Powder.

When was Barium first discovered and who is attributed with discovering Barium?

Barium was first discovered by the scientist Humphrey Davy in 1808. When Davy managed to isolate Barium by utilizing electrolysis. Another scientist Carl Scheele identified Barium in 1774 but Scheele is not credited with discovering Barium as he was unable to succesfully seperate and isolate Barium.

How did Barium get its name?

Barium stems from the Greek word barys which roughly translates to the English word heavy.

Hopefully you now have a clear understanding of the properties, uses and dangers of the solid metal element Barium.