Ba: meaning, definitions and examples
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Ba
[ beɪ ]
chemical element
Barium (Ba) is a chemical element with the symbol Ba and atomic number 56. It is a silvery-white metal that is never found in nature in its pure form, but only in various compounds. Barium is often used in medical imaging and as a contrast agent because it absorbs X-rays.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The doctor used barium for the X-ray procedure.
- Barium sulfate is a common compound used in imaging.
- He studied the properties of barium in the laboratory.
Etymology
The name 'barium' is derived from the Greek word 'barys', meaning 'heavy', a reference to the density of its compounds. It was discovered in 1774 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, who identified it as a distinct element when he was studying barite. Barium was later isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808 through a process of electrolysis. Since then, its applications have expanded significantly, especially in the fields of medicine and industry, where its unique properties are utilized for various purposes.