Barium (Ba)

Barium (Ba)

Atomic Number: 56
Atomic Weight: 137.34
Melting Point: 725
Boiling Point: 1640
Specific Gravity: 3.5
Valences: 2

Barium was discovered by Davy in 1808. Found only in combination with other Elements, Barium is a mixture of seven stable isotopes. Barium compounds are used in paint pigments (barium sulphate), rat poison (barium carbonate), and pyrotechnics (barium nitrate and barium chlorate). The name barite comes from the Greek word barys, meaning heavy. [LM] {RW}