Barium: More than was Expected

Barium: More than was Expected
An Internet Hotlist on barium

created by annapirog10
Stoneleigh-Burnham

Introduction | Basic Information | Usage of Element | Images | Other

Introduction

Image from
http://www.galleries.com/minerals/sulfates/barite/barite.jpg

Barium:

atomic number is 56
atomic mass is 137.33 g.mol -1
density: 3.5 g.cm-3 at 20°C
physical characteristics:Barium is a metallic element, soft, and when pure is silvery white; it belongs to the alkaline earth group.
chemical properties: The metal oxidizes very easily and should be kept under petroleum or other suitable oxygen-free liquids to exclude air. It is decomposed by water or alcohol. Burns as green flame.
toxicity:Yes it it rather toxic. Not deadly, but long term exposure with have permenent effects. Signs of short-term exposure are vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, difficulties in breathing, increased or decreased blood pressure, numbness around the face, and muscle weakness.Signs of long-term exposure are can cause changes in heart rhythm or paralysis and possibly death if consumed in very larger quantities. Also affects kidneys.
uses: in barium-nickel alloys for spark-plug electrodes an in vacuum tubes as drying and oxygen-removing agent,to make paint, bricks, tiles, glass, and rubber,fireworks, and barium sulfide is used to to preform lower GI x-rays.
manufacturing and or production: Not found alone in nature, can be refined out of other element that bonded with, or created in labs.
history:Discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1808 London, England.
Interesting aspects of element:Barium salts impart green colours to flames.Barium sulfate is used to detect colon cancer on x-ray.Naturally occurring barium is a mixture of seven stable isotopes.

The Internet Resources

Basic Information

!Barium! - Site Name: Wikipedia Type of Information:Facts generally. Good starting place for research, but was not indepth. Rather reliable, but would compare facts and exact numbers. Easy to access, and read. Interesting Information:Barium quickly becomes oxidized in air, it is difficult to obtain this metal in its pure form.At low doses, barium acts as a muscle stimulant, while higher doses affect the nervous system. Rating from 1-10: received a 7 (1 equals horrible, 10 equals excellent)
Barium - Site Name:WebElements Type of Information:General facts, with information about reations of barium Reliable,easy to access, and interpret. Provided interesting information about the color that Barium produces when burned. Nice photos as well. Interesting Information:Barium salts impart green colours to flames. Rating from 1-10:received an 8 (1 equals horrible, 10 equals excellent)
Barium Facts - The name of this site is UCC. This was an exceedingly basic souce that provided very brief general facts. This site is suitable for elementary students.An example of information found on this site is Barium is found in the minerals Barytes, BaSO4, and Witherite, BaCO3. An interesting fact that I found on this site was that Barium is similar in to Calcium in its chemical properties. I rated this site with 5 Ba bars.
Barium~ - Site Name:Periodic Type of Information:General facts, very brief history, Natural sources of the element,uses, and properties. Valid, use info. Very easy to read, an understand material.Not a very catchy/ atrractive site for readers, but good info. Interesting Information:Barium Sulfate is paint, X-ray diagnostic work, and glass making. Rating from 1-10: received a 7 Ba bars (1 equals horrible, 10 equals excellent)
Chemical Data: Barium-Ba - The site name is Chemsoc. This was useful starting information, but did not provide specific information.Provided gerneral facts such as boiling and melting points.An example of information found on this site is Barium is a relatively soft, silvery-white metal resembling lead. It oxidises very easily and is therefore stored under petroleum or in an inert gas atmosphere. An interesting fact that I found on this site was Barium and all its compounds that are water or acid soluble are toxic. I give this site 6 Ba bars.
Consumer Fact Sheet : Barium - Site Name:Enviromental Protection Agency. Type of Information:The focus of this site was to show the effects of barium in the enviroment, and dricking water supply. Barium is a lustrous, machinable metal which exists in nature only in ores containing mixtures of elements. It is used in making a wide variety of electronic components, in metal alloys, bleaches, dyes, fireworks, ceramics and glass. In particular, it is used in well drilling operations where it is directly released into the ground. Very well orgainzed, and well presented. Interesting Information: Short-term: EPA has found barium to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: gastrointestinal disturbances and muscular weakness.Long-term: Barium has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: high blood pressure. Rating: 9 Ba bars
Element-Ba - Site Name: Enviromental Chemistry Type of Information: General facts, and information of the element. Much longer than other sources, several pages of information. The appeal of the information, and content was average. Did not draw in readers. Still the information common, and compared well with other information. Density of the information is suitable for highschool students. Interesting Information: Barium was discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy from London England. Rating: 6 Ba bars
It's Elemetal-Barium - Site Name: Jefferson Labs Type of Information: Brief, and general info that was useful. Not the best site by far, but was a great, quite a good index. For example it provided Barium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy, an English chemist, in 1808 through the electrolysis of molten baryta (BaO). Barium is never found free in nature since it reacts with oxygen in the air, forming barium oxide (BaO), and with water, forming barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2) and hydrogen gas (H2). Barium is most commonly found as the mineral barite (BaSO4) and witherite (BaCO3) and is primarily produced through the electrolysis of barium chloride (BaCl2). Also included Atomic Number: 56 Atomic Weight: 137.327 Melting Point: 1000 K (727°C or 1341°F)Boiling Point: 2170 K (1897°C or 3447°F)Density: 3.62 grams per cubic centimeter Phase at Room Temperature: Solid Element Classification: Metal Period Number: 6 Group Number: 2 Group Name: Alkaline Earth Metal Interesting Information: Barium forms several other useful compounds. Barium nitrate (Ba(NO3)2) burns with a bright green color and is used in signal flares and fireworks. Barium chloride (BaCl) is used as a water softener. Barium oxide (BaO) easily absorbs moisture and is used as a desiccant. Barium peroxide (BaO2) forms hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) when it is mixed with water and is used as a bleaching agent that activates when wet. Barium titanate (BaTiO3) is used as a dielectric material in capacitors. Barium ferrite (BaO·6Fe2O3) is used to make magnets. Rating: 7 Ba Bars
Overview of Barium - The name of this site is Corrosion Source. The type of information is very gerneral facts.Easy to read. Provides facts such as boiling point, and melting point. Information such as occurance in nature. It is found only in combination with other elements, chiefly with sulfate and carbonate and is prepared by electrolysis of the chloride. This is approperiate for elementant students.Intersting fact that I found on this site was:Naturally occurring barium is a mixture of seven stable isotopes. Twenty two other radioactive isotopes are known to exist. I rate this site with 5 Ba bars.
Period Chart Elements - Site Name:Lenntech Type of Information: Broad information on element. Included general facts, in a table format. This made the material easy read, and comprehend meaning. Aa so provided applications of Barium, in a full paragraph. Another helpful sections was health effects. This was very straight forward, and organized format. Interesting Information: melting point of Barium is 725 C. The boiling point of Barium is 1640 C. Rating: 8 Ba bars

Usage of Element

Barium X-rays - The name of this site is Cancerhelp. The type of information found on this site is focused on testing for different types of cancer. It is somewhat useful for Barium because it states what test barium is used in. An example of information found this is about types of x-rays. A barium swallow is most often used to look at the inside of the foodpipe (gullet or oesophagus) or stomach. A barium enema is looks at the lower bowel (colon) and back passage (rectum). An interesting fact the that I found on this site was that your colon must be empty for the barium to x-ray properly.I rate this site with 6 Ba bars.
Barium enema - The site name is MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. This site is specific fo the use of barium in x-rays. It does not give any general information of Barium. Only the medical application of Barium in colon x-rays.Before x-rays are taken, a liquid called barium sulfate is placed into the rectal area. The liquid is a type of contrast. Contrast can highlight specific areas inside the body, which creates a clearer image. The contrast eventually passes out of your body through your stools.This is the definition of the use of Bairum in x-rays.Some interesting information that I read on this site was reason for the testing.The test is used to detect colon cancer. The barium enema may also be used to diagnose and evaluate the extent of inflammatory bowel diseases.I rate this with 6 Ba bars.
Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract X-ray - The name of this site is Radiology Info. This is strictly relatted to Barium use in radiology. Therefore it does not provide any general facts on Barium. An example of information found on this site is fluoroscopy makes it possible to see internal organs in motion. When the lower gastrointestinal tract is filled with barium, the radiologist is able to view and assess the anatomy and function of the rectum, colon and part of the lower small intestine. An interesting fact that I found on this site was that a physician may order a lower GI examination to detect ulcers, benign tumors (such as polyps), cancer, signs of other intestinal illnesses. I rate this site with 8 Ba bars.
Tox FAQs about Barium - Site Name: Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Type of Information: This site provided specific information partaining to medical research, and the effects of barium of the human body. this was a very helpful site for learning about the effects of Barium exposure. Gave lots of useful info of how to avoid exposure, and the results if exposed. Then went on to discuss the connection between barium and diseases. Overall very useful, and well organized. Suitable for college and highschool students. Interesting Information:Fish and aquatic organisms can accumulate Barium. Rating: 9 Ba Bars

Content by annapirog10, apirog@sbschool.org
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listbariuman.html
Last revised Fri Dec 14 10:21:15 US/Pacific 2007