barium [Ba]
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Introduction
From the Greek barys meaning heavy Discovered by British chemist Sir Humphrey Davy in 1808.
Occurrence
- found only in combination
- found most often as barium carbonate & barite
- pure barium is derived from electrolysis of barium chloride
Characteristics
- silver-white malleable metal of the alkaline-earth group
- bivalent
- oxidizes easily
- must be stored under petroleum or oil to exclude air
- extremely toxic when soluble (BaCl2, BaCO3)
Uses
- insoluble barium (BaSO4) is used as a contrast agent in radiology
- as a 'getter' in vacuum tubes
- glass-making
- barite is used in drilling fluids for oil & gas exploration
- barium carbonate is used as rat poison
- barium nitrate & chlorate or used in green-colored fireworks
- barium is used in spark plugs