Bismuth-Discovery, Properties, And Applicaions

Bismuth is a chemical element with the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. It is a silvery-white, shiny metal with a pinkish tint. Bismuth is the most naturally diamagnetic element, meaning it is weakly repelled by both poles of a magnet. It has a low melting point and is used in various alloys, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Property	Value
Name	Bismuth
Symbol	Bi
Atomic number	83
Relative atomic mass (Ar)	208.98040
Standard state	Solid at 298 K
Appearance	Lustrous reddish white
Classification	Metallic
Group in periodic table	15
Group name	Pnictogen
Group in the periodic table	6
Period in the periodic table	p
Shell structure	2.8.18.32.18.5
CAS Registry	7440-69-9

Discovery

Bismuth was discovered in the early 1700s by a German chemist named Johann Heinrich Pott. It was first isolated in 1753 by French chemist Claude François Geoffroy.

Physical Properties

Bismuth is a dense, silvery-white metal with a pinkish tint. It is relatively soft and brittle, and has a low melting point of 271.4°C (520.5°F). Bismuth is diamagnetic, meaning it is weakly repelled by both poles of a magnet.

Chemical Properties

Bismuth is a relatively stable element and does not react with air or water at room temperature. However, it can react with nitric acid and other strong oxidizing agents. Bismuth has a variety of oxidation states, but most of its compounds are in the +3 or +5 oxidation state.

Facts

• Bismuth is one of the few elements that is not toxic, making it a safe alternative to lead in various applications.
• Bismuth has the highest Hall effect of any metal, meaning it has a strong magnetic field when exposed to a magnetic field perpendicular to a current.
• Bismuth is used in cosmetics, including lipstick, mascara, and eyeshadow.
• Bismuth is often used in alloys with other metals, such as copper and tin, to improve their machinability.

Applications

Bismuth has a variety of applications, including:

• Pharmaceuticals: Bismuth compounds are used in various pharmaceuticals, including antacids, anti-diarrheal medications, and treatments for H. pylori infections.
• Cosmetics: Bismuth is used in various cosmetics, including lipstick, mascara, and eyeshadow, as a coloring agent and to improve texture.
• Alloys: Bismuth is used in alloys with other metals, such as copper and tin, to improve their machinability.
• Nuclear industry: Bismuth is used as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors.
• Other: Bismuth is used in fire sprinklers, solders, and various other industrial applications.