Barium is a silvery-white metal that has a number of important uses in industry and science.
Sources of Barium: Barium is obtained from minerals such as barite and witherite, which are found in several countries, including China, India, and the United States.
Uses of Barium:
Oil and gas exploration: Barium is used in the petroleum industry for oil and gas exploration, as it is used to create dense drilling fluids that help to keep boreholes open.
Medical use: Barium is used in medical imaging, such as in barium enemas and barium swallows, as it is opaque to X-rays and helps to highlight internal structures in the body.
Research: Barium is used in various scientific research applications, such as in spectroscopy and atomic physics experiments.
Fireworks: Barium is used in some types of fireworks to produce a green flame.
Properties of Barium:
Density: Barium has a density of 3.51 g/cm3.
Melting point: The melting point of barium is 725°C.
Chemical reactivity: Barium is a reactive metal that readily forms compounds with other elements.
Solubility: Barium is soluble in some solvents, such as water, but is otherwise insoluble in most solvents.
Extraction of Barium: Barium is extracted from its minerals through a series of chemical processes, including crushing, grinding, and flotation. The purified barium is then packaged for use in industry or science.