WebElements Periodic Table » Bismuth (original) (raw)
Bismuth - 83Bi: the essentials
Name: bismuth
Symbol: Bi
Atomic number: 83
Relative atomic mass (_A_r): 208.98040 (1)
Standard state: solid at 298 K
Appearance: lustrous reddish white
Classification: Metallic
Group name: Pnictogen
Shell structure: 2.8.18.32.18.5
CAS Registry: 7440-69-9
Bismuth atoms have 83 electrons and the shell structure is 2.8.18.32.18.5. The ground state electronic configuration of neutral bismuth is [Xe].4f14.5d10.6s2.6p3 and the term symbol of bismuth is 4S3/2.
Bismuth: description
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Bismuth is a white, crystalline, brittle metal with a pinkish tinge. Bismuth is the most diamagnetic of all metals, and the thermal conductivity is lower than any metal, except mercury. It has a high electrical resistance, and has the highest Hall effect of any metal (that is, the greatest increase in electrical resistance when placed in a magnetic field).
Cartoon by Nick D Kim ([Science and Ink], used by permission).
Bismuth: biological data
- Human abundance by weight: (no data) ppb by weight
Bismuth has no biological role. However it has been used for some time as a medicine (tripotassium dicitratobismuthate) for treatment of stomach upsets. In combination with antibiotics it is now used for treatment of some stomach ulcers. It is also to be found in haemorrhoid creams such as Anusol cream and Hemocaneas as bismuth oxide and in Anusol ointment as bismuth subgallate.
Bismuth: reactions
Reactions of bismuth as the element with air, water, halogens, acids, and bases where known.
Bismuth: binary compounds
Binary compounds with halogens (known as halides), oxygen (known as oxides), hydrogen (known as hydrides), and other compounds of bismuth where known.
Bismuth: compound properties
Bond strengths; lattice energies of bismuth halides, hydrides, oxides (where known); and reduction potentials where known.
Bismuth: isolation
Isolation: it is not normally necessary to make bismuth in the laboratory as it is available commercially. Bismuth is found in nature largely as bismite (Bi2O3), bismuthinite (Bi2S3), and bismutite [(BiO)2CO3]. However it is generally made as a byproduct of copper, lead,tin, silver, gold, and zinc plants. The final step involves a reduction of the oxide by charcoal.