Page 164 - The Periodic Table Book
P. 164
83
Bi Bismuth
State: Solid
83 Hopper crystals refined
126 Discovery: c. 1500
83
The Nitrogen Group This mineral is These rainbow colours form in a laboratory
Forms
when the metal on the surface
begins to react with oxygen.
the main source
of pure bismuth.
Bismuthinite
In Earth’s
crust, bismuth is
about twice as
abundant
as gold.
These bismuth crystals were
produced in a laboratory.
Bismuth is a radioactive element but ancient Egyptians used a bismuth mineral
its atoms are relatively stable and last to make their cosmetics glittery. Pure bismuth
for millions of years. People have known forms an oxide in air that is seen as colourful
about bismuth for centuries. The Incas of crystals called hopper crystals. This element
South America added it to weapons made is very brittle and has few uses when not
162 of the alloy bronze to harden them, while in a compound form. Yellow bismuth
162-163_Bismuth_Moscovium.indd 162 02/12/16 6:54 pm
