BARIUM (BA)

last update 01 sep 10

* Barium is a member of the alkaline earth metals family:

alkaline earth metals in the periodic table

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   BARIUM / Ba / 56

   A soft, silvery metal that corrodes easily.  Seven isotopes are 
   found in nature:

     Ba<138/56> / 71.7%
     Ba<137/56> / 11.2%
     Ba<136/56> /  7.9%
     Ba<135/56> /  6.6%
     Ba<134/56> /  2.4%
     Ba<132/56> /  0.1%
     Ba<130/56> /  0.1%

   All are stable.

     atomic weight:       137.327
     abundance:           5th 
     density:             3.6 g/cc
     melting point:       725 C
     boiling point:       1,640 C
     valence:             2
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Barium compounds are produced in the range of several million tonnes a year, though despite its scale of production its uses are somewhat obscure. It is used as a component of brilliant white paint, in oil additives, and in the manufacture of certain specialized glasses.