Bismuth

Bismuth
Bismuth block | Image: Learnool

Bismuth (Bi) is a chemical element of the periodic table, located in the group 15 and the period 6, and has the atomic number 83. It is a brittle, silvery-pink post transition metal, whose name comes from the German word “wissmuth”, which means white mass. It is a member of the pnictogen group.

On periodic table

group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
period
1 1
H
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Hydrogen
2
He
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Helium
2 3
Li
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Lithium
4
Be
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Beryllium
5
B
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Boron
6
C
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Carbon
7
N
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Nitrogen
8
O
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Oxygen
9
F
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Fluorine
10
Ne
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Neon
3 11
Na
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Sodium
12
Mg
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Magnesium
13
Al
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Aluminium
14
Si
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Silicon
15
P
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Phosphorus
16
S
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Sulfur
17
Cl
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Chlorine
18
Ar
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Argon
4 19
K
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Potassium
20
Ca
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Calcium
21
Sc
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Scandium
22
Ti
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Titanium
23
V
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Vanadium
24
Cr
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Chromium
25
Mn
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Manganese
26
Fe
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Iron
27
Co
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Cobalt
28
Ni
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Nickel
29
Cu
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Copper
30
Zn
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Zinc
31
Ga
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Gallium
32
Ge
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Germanium
33
As
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Arsenic
34
Se
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Selenium
35
Br
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Bromine
36
Kr
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Krypton
5 37
Rb
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Rubidium
38
Sr
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Strontium
39
Y
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Yttrium
40
Zr
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Zirconium
41
Nb
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Niobium
42
Mo
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Molybdenum
43
Tc
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Technetium
44
Ru
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Ruthenium
45
Rh
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Rhodium
46
Pd
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Palladium
47
Ag
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Silver
48
Cd
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Cadmium
49
In
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Indium
50
Sn
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Tin
51
Sb
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Antimony
52
Te
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Tellurium
53
I
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Iodine
54
Xe
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Xenon
6 55
Cs
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Caesium
56
Ba
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Barium
72
Hf
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Hafnium
73
Ta
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Tantalum
74
W
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Tungsten
75
Re
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Rhenium
76
Os
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Osmium
77
Ir
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Iridium
78
Pt
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Platinum
79
Au
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Gold
80
Hg
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Mercury
81
Tl
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Thallium
82
Pb
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Lead
83
Bi
Bismuth
84
Po
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Polonium
85
At
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Astatine
86
Rn
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Radon
7 87
Fr
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Francium
88
Ra
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Radium
104
Rf
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Rutherfordium
105
Db
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Dubnium
106
Sg
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Seaborgium
107
Bh
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Bohrium
108
Hs
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Hassium
109
Mt
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Meitnerium
110
Ds
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Darmstadtium
111
Rg
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Roentgenium
112
Cn
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Copernicium
113
Nh
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Nihonium
114
Fl
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Flerovium
115
Mc
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Moscovium
116
Lv
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Livermorium
117
Ts
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Tennessine
118
Og
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Oganesson
57
La
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Lanthanum
58
Ce
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Cerium
59
Pr
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Praseodymium
60
Nd
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Neodymium
61
Pm
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Promethium
62
Sm
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Samarium
63
Eu
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Europium
64
Gd
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Gadolinium
65
Tb
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Terbium
66
Dy
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Dysprosium
67
Ho
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Holmium
68
Er
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Erbium
69
Tm
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Thulium
70
Yb
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Ytterbium
71
Lu
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Lutetium
89
Ac
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Actinium
90
Th
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Thorium
91
Pa
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Protactinium
92
U
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Uranium
93
Np
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Neptunium
94
Pu
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Plutonium
95
Am
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Americium
96
Cm
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Curium
97
Bk
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Berkelium
98
Cf
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Californium
99
Es
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Einsteinium
100
Fm
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Fermium
101
Md
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Mendelevium
102
No
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Nobelium
103
Lr
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Lawrencium
– p block

Bismuth is a p-block element, found in the fifteenth column (nitrogen group) and the sixth row of the periodic table. It has the atomic number 83 and is denoted by the symbol Bi.

Element information

Bismuth Element
Bismuth appearance | Image: Wikipedia
Bismuth Periodic Table
Bismuth location on periodic table | Image: Learnool
Bismuth is found in the sixth row of the periodic table below the antimony element.
Origin of name German word “wissmuth” (which means white mass)
Symbol Bi
Atomic number (Z) 83
Atomic mass 208.9804 u
Block p-block
Group 15 (nitrogen group)
Period 6
Classification Post-transition metal
Atomic radius 156 pm
Covalent radius 148±4 pm
Van der Waals radius 207 pm
Melting point 271.5 ℃, 520.7 ℉, 544.7 K
Boiling point 1564 ℃, 2847 ℉, 1837 K
Electron configuration [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3
Learn how to write: Bismuth electron configuration
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5
Learn how to draw: Bismuth Bohr model
Crystal structure Rhombohedral
Phase at r.t Solid
Density near r.t 9.78 g/cm3
Natural occurrence Primordial
Oxidation state +3
Electronegativity (Pauling scale) 2.02
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
83
126
83
Learn how to find: Bismuth protons neutrons electrons
Valence electrons 5
Learn how to find: Bismuth valence electrons
CAS number 7440-69-9
Discovered by Arabic alchemists before AD 1000

History

Bismuth has been known since ancient times, although its distinct properties and composition were not fully understood until much later. Due to its resemblance to other metals like tin and lead, bismuth was often confused with these elements in early times.

The exact discovery of bismuth is not attributed to any one person, as it was likely discovered by multiple civilizations independently. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used bismuth compounds for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. However, it wasn’t until the 15th century that the element was identified as a distinct metal.

Georgius Agricola, a German mineralogist and metallurgist, is often credited with recognizing bismuth as a unique metal. In his book “De Natura Fossilium” published in 1546, he described bismuth as a distinct metal in the same family as tin and lead, based on his observations of the metals’ physical properties.

Throughout the centuries, bismuth has been used for a variety of purposes. In the 18th century, it was used to produce alloys for printing presses. In the 19th century, it became a popular ingredient in cosmetics, and was also used in the manufacture of fusible alloys, which melt at low temperatures and are used in automatic fire sprinkler systems. Today, bismuth is still used in a variety of applications, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and electronics. It is also used as a replacement for lead in some applications, as it is less toxic and more environmentally friendly.

Occurrence

Bismuth is a relatively rare element, ranking 69th in abundance in the Earth’s crust. It is typically found in small quantities in various minerals, including bismuthinite, bismite, and cosalite. The largest deposits of bismuth are found in Bolivia, Peru, Japan, Mexico, and Canada. In addition to natural deposits, bismuth is also a byproduct of lead, copper, tin, and tungsten refining.

Production

Bismuth is primarily produced as a byproduct of the refining of other metals. The majority of bismuth production comes from the treatment of lead and copper ores. Bismuth can also be extracted from tin and tungsten ores. The refining process typically involves a series of steps, including roasting, smelting, and refining, to produce pure bismuth metal.

Another method for producing bismuth is through the electrolysis of bismuth salts, such as bismuth nitrate or bismuth chloride. This process involves dissolving the salt in water and passing an electric current through the solution, which causes the bismuth ions to move toward the electrode of opposite charge. The bismuth ions then gain electrons at the electrode, forming bismuth metal.

Bismuth can also be produced by reducing bismuth oxide with carbon or hydrogen gas at high temperatures. This method is less common than the electrolysis and refining processes and is typically only used for producing small amounts of bismuth or for laboratory purposes.

Properties

Bismuth is a post-transition metal and is the heaviest element in the group of elements that are typically regarded as metals.

It has a silvery-white appearance, but its surface can take on a pinkish tint due to oxidation.

Bismuth has a relatively low melting point of 271.5 ℃ and a boiling point of 1564 ℃, which makes it useful in alloys that melt easily.

It has a high electrical resistance, which makes it useful as a component in some electronic devices.

Bismuth is diamagnetic, meaning that it has no magnetic field of its own and is not attracted to magnets.

When bismuth is exposed to oxygen in the air, it forms a thin layer of oxide on its surface that protects it from further corrosion.

Applications

Pharmaceuticals

Bismuth subsalicylate is an active ingredient in various antacid and antidiarrheal medications due to its ability to reduce inflammation and irritation in the stomach and intestines.

Cosmetics

Bismuth oxychloride is often included in makeup products to add a luminous, pearly glow | Image: iStock

Bismuth oxychloride is used as a cosmetic ingredient in foundations, powders, and other products due to its ability to create a smooth and silky texture and give a pearlescent appearance.

Alloys

Bismuth is commonly used as an alloying agent in a variety of alloys, including fusible alloys, which have low melting points and are used for soldering, casting, and other applications.

Nuclear industry

Bismuth has a high capacity to absorb neutron radiation, making it useful as a shielding material in nuclear reactors and other applications.

Fire sprinklers

Bismuth-containing alloys are used in fire sprinklers due to their low melting point, which allows them to fuse and block the flow of water in the event of a fire.

Other applications

Bismuth is also used in the manufacture of certain types of glass, as a substitute for lead in some applications, and in certain types of semiconductors and thermoelectric devices.

Interesting facts

Bismuth is the most naturally diamagnetic metal, meaning it repels both north and south poles of a magnet.

Bismuth has the lowest toxicity of all the heavy metals, making it a safe alternative to lead in many applications.

Bismuth has a unique property of expanding as it cools, which makes it useful in some types of fire sprinklers.

Bismuth is often used as a substitute for lead in shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers due to its low toxicity and similar density to lead.

Bismuth is often added to cosmetic products such as lipstick and eye shadow for its pearlescent effect.

Bismuth has a relatively low melting point of 271.5 ℃, making it easy to melt and cast into various shapes and forms.

Bismuth has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, believed to treat digestive disorders and ease fever and inflammation.

Bismuth is a poor conductor of electricity and has a high electrical resistance, making it useful in some electronic devices and thermal fuses.

Related

More elements

s block
p block
d block
f block
Barium Aluminium Bohrium Actinium
Beryllium Antimony Cadmium Americium
Caesium Argon Chromium Berkelium
Calcium Arsenic Cobalt Californium
Francium Astatine Copernicium Cerium
Helium Bismuth Copper Curium
Hydrogen Boron Darmstadtium Dysprosium
Lithium Bromine Dubnium Einsteinium
Magnesium Carbon Gold Erbium
Potassium Chlorine Hafnium Europium
Radium Flerovium Hassium Fermium
Rubidium Fluorine Iridium Gadolinium
Sodium Gallium Iron Holmium
Strontium Germanium Lawrencium Lanthanum
Indium Lutetium Mendelevium
Iodine Manganese Neodymium
Krypton Meitnerium Neptunium
Lead Mercury Nobelium
Livermorium Molybdenum Plutonium
Moscovium Nickel Praseodymium
Neon Niobium Promethium
Nihonium Osmium Protactinium
Nitrogen Palladium Samarium
Oganesson Platinum Terbium
Oxygen Rhenium Thorium
Phosphorus Rhodium Thulium
Polonium Roentgenium Uranium
Radon Ruthenium Ytterbium
Selenium Rutherfordium
Silicon Scandium
Sulfur Seaborgium
Tellurium Silver
Tennessine Tantalum
Thallium Technetium
Tin Titanium
Xenon Tungsten
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium

External links

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Learnool.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.

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