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Barium (Ba)
Element with atomic number 56, category: Alkaline earth metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 56 of 118
Alkaline earth metal
Barium
Group 2, Period 6
Common Uses
X-ray contrast agent
Electron Diagram
About Barium
Barium is a chemical element with the symbol Ba and atomic number 56, meaning every atom has 56 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Alkaline earth metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 137.327 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Barium sits in group 2, period 6, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Barium
In daily life and industry, Barium is used for X-ray contrast agent. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Alkaline earth metal category.
Electron Structure of Barium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Barium has 4 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 18, 28 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.