 Discovery Information
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| Who: Sir Humphrey Davy |
| When: 1808 |
| Where: England |
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| Name Origin
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| Greek: barys (heavy or dense). |
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| Sources
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| Found in barytine (BaSO4) and witherite (BaCO3), never found in pure form due to its high reactivity.
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| Uses
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| An alloys with nickel is used in sparkplug wire. Barium oxide (BaO) is used in a coating for the electrodes of fluorescent lamps.
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| Barium sulfate is a good x-ray absorber, used in x-ray diagnostic work for obtaining images of the digestive system (barium meals and barium enemas).
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| Barium carbonate (BaCO3) is used in glassmaking and also as a rat poison and can be used in making bricks.
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| Barium nitrate (Ba(NO3)2) and barium chlorate are used to give fireworks green colours.
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| Notes
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| Barium is a metallic element that is chemically similar to calcium, yet is soft and in its pure form is silvery white resembling lead.
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| All water or acid soluble barium compounds are extremely poisonous.
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| Must be stored under a petroleum-based fluid (such as kerosene) to remain pure. |
