The Instrumentation Center

Bismuth

bi

Contributor: Chris Barr

Beautiful Bismuth Crystals! Maybe don't try this at home.
About the Display: The Bi display features:
  • Bi crystals: have rainbow colors due to the formation of an oxidation layer, even though Bi is naturally a silver-ish metal
  • Pepto-Bismol is made of bismuth subsalicylate, which is anti-inflammatory, kills bacteria, and acts as an antacid and antidiarrheal
  • Bismuth Oxychloride: is a shiny white solid that has been used in cosmetics since the days of ancient Egypt to give a pearly iridescence to makeup
  • Lead Free Solders: used in welding can be made of many different alloys. Some of those alloys use bismuth because it significantly lowers the melting point. 
About the Contributor: Chris Barr is a University of Toledo alumnus of chemical engineering. Chris currently works as a staff member at the University of Michigan - Flint.
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Symbol: Bi

Atomic Number: 83

Atomic Mass: 208.9804 u

Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f145d106s26p3

Year Discovered: 1753

Discovered By: Claude Francois Geoffroy

Last Updated: 7/15/24