By: Katie MacCallum, Jiyoung Park, David ReynoldsENGR45, F-2014, SRJC

Atomic number: 83 Atomic mass: 208.9804 g/mol Brinell Hardness: 94.2 MPa Density: 9.80 g.cm-3 at 20°C Melting point: 271 °C (considered low compared to other

metals) which makes it easy to alter the crystals physicalappearance

Boiling point: 1420 °C Insoluble in water Brittle metal with a silvery white color but is often seen in air with

a pink tinge owing to surface oxidation Most naturally diamagnetic of all metals (tendency to become

magnetized) High electrical resistance and the highest Hall effect of any metal Lower thermal conductivity than any metal except Mercury Lesser known metal, but not rare or valuable ($20/lb)

Has been known since the fifteenth century One of the first 10 metals to have been discovered No one person is accredited for the discovery Name comes from the latin word bisemutum

meaning “white mass” Utilized in ancient times by the Egyptians, Greeks,

Asians, and Romans Incas used it with copper and tin to create a bronze

alloy for knives Confused with tin and lead in early times because of

its resemblance The crystallized form can only be man made

Twice as abundant as gold in the Earth’s crust Most important ores: bismuthimite and

bismite Occurs naturally as the metal itself Found as crystals in the ores of nickel, cobalt,

silver, and tin Mainly produced as a by-product from lead

and copper smelting in the USA Mined in Bolvia, Peru, Japan, Mexico and

Canada

Crystalizes into a Rhombohedral lattice

The crystals have an interesting geometric hopper form More specifically, artificially grown bismuth crystals illustrate a

stair step crystal structure The spiral step structure results from higher growth rate around

the outside edges than on the inside edges The variation in the thickness of the oxide layer that forms on the

surface of the crystal causes different wavelengths of light to interfere upon reflection, thus displaying a rainbow of colors

Reds, yellows, blues, greens, and purples are common When burned in oxygen, Bismuth burns with a blue flame. Its

oxide forms yellow fumes

http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/bismuth-crystal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKPEmLQNPS8

Bismuth Crystals can be easily made anywhere using a stovetop, but lab grown crystals will be of higher quality with more intricate shapes and dazzling colors.

Relatively non-toxic compared to other metals Bismuth and its salts can cause kidney damage,

although the degree of such damage is usually mild Large doses inhaling of the dust or ingestion can be

fatal Other toxic results may develop including bodily

discomfort, diarrhea, skin reactions, exo dermatitis and presence of albumin or other protein substance in the urine

Bismuth alloy is being used as a lead replacement because of the toxicity of lead has become more apparent

Low solubility in blood (can be removed with urine)

Ingredient in pharmaceuticals, although the use of some of these is declining (examples: pepto-bismal, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth subcarbonate)

Cosmetics- used as pigments and paint for eyeshadows, hairspray and nail polishes

Low-melting alloys Fire detection/extinguishing systems/Sprinkler systems Catalyst in rubber production Replacement for lead in shots and bullets (bismuth-tin alloy) Free-machining steels and free-machining alloys for precision machining

properties (plumbing applications, but not equal to the performance of lead)

Low toxicity important for solders to be used in food processing equipment and copper-water pipes

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