A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

162

The Nitrogen Group

Bi

83

Bismuth is a radioactive element but

its atoms are relatively stable and last

for millions of years. People have known

about bismuth for centuries. The Incas of

South America added it to weapons made

of the alloy bronze to harden them, while

ancient Egyptians used a bismuth mineral

to make their cosmetics glittery. Pure bismuth

forms an oxide in air that is seen as colourful

crystals called hopper crystals. This element

is very brittle and has few uses when not

in a compound form. Yellow bismuth

Forms

Bismuth

In Earth’s

crust, bismuth is

about twice as

abundant

as gold.

These rainbow colours form

when the metal on the surface

begins to react with oxygen.

These bismuth cr ystals were

produced in a laboratory.

Hopper crystals refined

in a laboratory

Bismuthinite

83 83 126

State: Solid

Discovery: c. 1500

This mineral is

the main source

of pure bismuth.

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