Element Family
Post-Transition
Lanthanide
Space Group Name
C12/m1
P63/mmc
Interesting Facts
- Bismuth metal is soluble and reacts with concentrated nitric acid.
- It oxides are used as a yellow pigment in paint. Bismuth chloride oxide BiClO gives a pearly texture to cosmetics.
- Erbium metal is used as alloyed with Vanadium to make it softer.
- Recent studies shows that it is helpful for metabolism.
Sources
Found in Minerals, Mining, Ores of Minerals
Mining
Who Discovered
Claude François Geoffroy
Carl Gustaf Mosander
Discovery
In 1753
In 1842
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- Tin and bismuth alloys have a very low melting point and hence it is used in fire detector and the fire extinguishers. It also used in electric solders and fuses.
- It has a tendency to get tarnished in the open air, but when alloyed with elements like erbium, vanadium, its hardness levels decreases.
- Its compounds like Erbium oxide is used in safety glasses of welders and metal workers.
Industrial Uses
Automobile Industry, Chemical Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Chemical Industry
Medical Uses
Pharmaceutical Industry
-
Toxicity
Low Toxic
Mildly Toxic
Present in Human Body
Yes
No
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silver
Silvery White
Pauling Electronegativity
Sanderson Electronegativity
Allred Rochow Electronegativity
Mulliken-Jaffe Electronegativity
Pauling Electropositivity
Electrochemical Equivalent
Other Chemical Properties
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Solubility
Electron Configuration
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3
[Xe] 4f12 6s2
Crystal Structure
Rhombohedral (RHO)
Hexagonal Close Packed (HCP)
Crystal Lattice
RHO-Crystal-Structure-of-Bismuth.jpg#100
HCP-Crystal-Structure-of-Erbium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
-
π/2, π/2, 2 π/3
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
Malleable
Magnetic Ordering
Diamagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Semiconductor
Conductor