BACKGROUND INFO:

My element is called Bismuth and its symbol is Bi. It was first discovered to be an element by Claude Geoffroy the Younger in the year 1753. The person who originally found bismuth is not known but we know that bismuth comes from lead, copper, silver, gold and tin mines. The word Bismuth is a latinized version of the German word ‘weissmuth,’ which loosely translates to ‘White Oxide.’ It is most likely called this because of the white oxide Bismuth makes.

STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM:

Atomic Number: 83 | Atomic Mass: 208.98040 | Protons: 83 | Neutrons: 126 | Electrons: 83 | Amount of stable isotopes: 0

NATURAL SOURCES:

Bismuth occurs as a byproduct of refined lead, silver, gold and tin. It is pretty abundant and can be found in many places just as lead, silver, gold and tin. It is also abundant in Bolivia.

MAJOR USES:

(1) Due to the low melting point, bismuth is mixed with other metals to create low-melting alloys that are used for fire-detection systems, fire sprinklers etc. (2) Bismuth Oxychloride is used as a pigment in many eyeshadows, hairsprays and even nail polishes. (3) Bismuth subsalicylate is used in medicines such as anti-diarrheal and is the active ingredient in pepto-bismol.

FACTS:

Bismuth is the heaviest non-radioactive element.

Bismuth was one of the first 10 elements to be found.