Meaning of Barium

Barium

In order to fully discover the meaning of the term barium, we have to show that it is a word whose etymological origin is in Greek. It is exactly derived from “barys”, which can be translated as “heavy”.

It must be stated that barium as such was coined at the beginning of the 19th century. Specifically, it was the English chemist Humphry Davy (1778 – 1828) who did it in 1808. We are referring to the scientist who also played a fundamental role in the discovery of other elements such as potassium, calcium, aluminum or magnesium, among others.

The barium is a metal whose atomic number is 56. It is a heavy and soft chemical element, found in different minerals and can be found abundantly in the crust of planet Earth.

The symbol for barium, whose name derives from the English barium, is Ba. This metal boils at a temperature of 1845 degrees Celsius, while its melting point is located at 727 degrees Celsius.

The barite and barite are the most important ore of barium. It should be remembered that, in the field of mining, a mineral is called ore when it allows obtaining, from metallurgy, a metal. In this case, barite and barite make it possible to obtain barium.

Already in the Middle Ages alchemists began to investigate the properties of barium through barite, without knowing how to isolate it. Only in 1808 was it isolated by a scientist in England.

At the chemical level, barium is similar to calcium, although it is more reactive. Barium, in this sense, reacts in the presence of copper and oxidizes rapidly when in contact with water or oxygen. It also reacts with alcohol.

Barium can be used in the field of radiology as a contrast medium, to make shielding against radiation, in the coating of electrical conductors and in the production of pyrotechnics. The manufacture of glass lenses and the manufacture of poison for vermin are other uses of barium and its derivatives.

In the same way, we cannot forget that barium is also used strongly in other areas and sectors such as the following:
-For the production of certain types of paints.
-For the creation of various kinds of rubber.
-Barium is also used to shape glass in general.
-It is used for different purposes within the oil industry.
-To shape what are the ignition systems of vehicles.

In the same way, we cannot ignore what are the consequences that barium can cause in the human body if it is exposed to high amounts of it:
-It can cause from paralysis to an acceleration of the heart rate if it is ingested in large amount.
-It can also bring death if the dose taken is high.
-If a reduced amount is ingested, you will suffer nausea, vomiting, diarrhea…

Barium