Barium

56
Ba
137.327(7)

barium.jpg (12449 bytes)
Barium is used in fireworks (green).

Properties
Symbol Name Atomic Number Atomic Weight Group Number
Ba Barium 56 137.327(7) 2

Description

Standard State: solid at 298 K
Color: silvery white

Sir Humphrey Davy discovered Barium in 1808. Barium is found only in combinations with other elements.  It resembles calcium chemically and is soft and belongs to the alkaline earth group.  Barite is used extensively as a weighing agent in oil-well drilling fluids.  The carbonate of Barium has been used as a rat poison.