Bismuth Facts: Curious Brittle Metal Facts Explained For Kids!
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How is bismuth familiar to us?
Bismuth is abundant in the earth’s crust. But we may be more familiar with bismuth as colorful crystals.
Bismuth is the heaviest stable element in the periodic table, among a few others. It occurs as a native metal. There are many bismuth facts that make these metals unique from others.
It is a post-transitional element with some unique properties. It was discovered in 1753 by Claude Geoffrey Junine, who distinguished it from lead and tin. Most of us know this element from the rainbow crystals that are formed using this element.
These beautiful crystals are how we mostly know bismuth. But there are other special uses of these elements. Let us check out some facts about bismuth.
You must also check out our interesting articles about photosynthesis, and cold war facts.
Chemical Properties Of Bismuth
Bismuth has some basic properties due to which it acts like a metal.
The atomic number of bismuth is 83, and it is found in the 15th group of the periodic table. It is part of the 'p block' elements. At room temperature, bismuth is in solid form. Bismuth normally doesn’t react with oxygen at room temperature.
But when it is strongly heated, it will react with oxygen and form oxides. The oxides have a yellow color. Bismuth is a chemical element that is diamagnetic when compared to other metals.
The thermal conductivity of these bismuth metals is also low compared to other metals. Bismuth compounds have high electrical resistance. Bismuth is a brittle metal with a pinkish, silvery metallic luster.
The bismuth is also hard and coarsely crystalline. When the liquid bismuth freezes, it expands. Bismuth is found along with the nitrogen group in the periodic table.
They can exhibit a plus three or minus three oxidation state. As a heavy metal, bismuth is relatively nontoxic compared to others. The brittle property of bismuth makes it easy for other metals to mix with it. The liquid bismuth is denser compared to its solid phase.
This property is only seen in a few elements. Bismuth has 41 known isotopes, among which the radioactive isotopes are highly stable. The stable radioactive isotopes of bismuth do not occur in nature.
What is special about bismuth?
Bismuth has many uses. Let us learn some of them.
Bismuth is used in cosmetics, alloys, fire extinguishers, and ammunition. This metal has a low melting point.
This particularly low melting point of bismuth is used to create fire detectors and extinguishers. Bismuth forms alloys with other metals like tin, lead, iron, and cadmium, which also have low melting points. The low-melting alloys are used to build fire detectors, extinguishers, and molds.
Bismuth compound is also used in manufacturing synthetic fiber and rubber as a catalyst. The bismuth metal is also used as a replacement for lead in shots and bullets. Bismuth oxychloride is used in cosmetics.
These bismuth compounds form a yellow pigment that is used as a pigment in eye shadow, nail polish, and hairspray. A bismuth compound named bismoclite is an example of this. Bismuth compounds are also used as medicine. Bismuth subnitrate and subcarbonate are used to treat stomach aches and diarrhea.
There are also bismuth compounds used for treating peptic ulcers and eye infections. Bismuth is also used in nuclear reactors. All these uses make this bismuth element special from others.
Why is bismuth so colorful?
Bismuth is also a colorful element. The bismuth crystals are known to be very colorful. You must be wondering what makes these crystals so colorful?
Bismuth has a crystalline structure in the solid phase. When they are melted and come back to the solid structure, the patterns change from the initial phase. These bismuth crystals are rich in colors. When other metals are oxidized, they form one particular color.
But the bismuth crystals are unique in this aspect. They form a variety of colors when oxidized. The colors can be pink, purple, blue, green, and many more.
The many oxide layers formed in the crystal of bismuth give these different colors. The variation in the thickness of the oxide layer that is formed on the bismuth crystal is hit with various light wavelengths hitting it.
The colors of the bismuth can be controlled by taking some measures. Four things can help control the colors formed in the bismuth crystal. Cooling the metal slowly will help in forming thicker oxide layers on the metal.
If, on the other hand, the metal is cooled quickly, there will be thin oxide layers. Cooling also gives it its unique shapes.
The thinner oxide layers will give you colors like violet, blue, and so on. These are colors that have a higher frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Colors from green to red are at the lower frequency level of the electromagnetic spectrum. These colors are formed in the thicker oxide layer. By taking care of these things, you can change the color of the crystals to whatever you want.
Is bismuth naturally rainbow?
The colors in the bismuth make us wonder if the bismuth is naturally rainbow. However, bismuth in its natural form has a silvery-white color. When these metals become crystals, they possess different colors. Bismuth is stable in the air but turns black when exposed to sulfur. It is due to the thickness of the oxide layer.
Bismuth is not naturally a rainbow, but the crystals can form all these different colors nonetheless. This is one of the unique facts about bismuth that makes this metal very special.
The bismuth crystals, due to their various rainbow colors are so pretty to look at. The different colors from red to blue to yellow to green, make the bismuth crystals very popular among other crystals. But they are not exactly a rainbow.
It is just the result of surface oxidation. If that process doesn’t happen, then the bismuth will be a silvery-white color, not a rainbow color.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for bismuth facts for kids, then why not take a look at famous owls names, or curious facts about Dr Roberta Bonda, the first Canadian female astronaut.
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Bachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy
Joan AgieBachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy
With 3+ years of research and content writing experience across several niches, especially on education, technology, and business topics. Joan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Anatomy from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, and has worked as a researcher and writer for organizations across Nigeria, the US, the UK, and Germany. Joan enjoys meditation, watching movies, and learning new languages in her free time.
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