bismuth [Bi]

Introduction

From the German weisse masse meaning white mass. Known since the 15th century; it was often confused with tin & lead.

Occurrence

• found in ores bismite & bismuthinite

Characteristics

• heavy brittle grayish-white brittle metallic element
  • pinkish tinge at room temperature
• chiefly trivalent
• chemically like arsenic & antimony
• the most diamagnetic metal
• expands from liquid to solid form

Uses

• pharmaceuticals : bismuth subsalicylate
• alloys
  • used to maintain volume from liquid to sold form
  • firealarms
  • fuses: a large electrical current will melt the alloy breaking the circuit

Laboratory

• bismuth in specimen
  • bismuth in hair
  • bismuth in tissue
  • bismuth in erythrocytes
  • bismuth in body fluid
    • bismuth in blood
    • bismuth in serum/plasma
    • bismuth in urine

More general terms

• chemical element
• metal

Additional terms

• bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, BSS, Kaopectate)
• periodic table

Component of

• bismuth citrate/ranitidine (Tritec)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=9242