Bismuth is a brittle greyish-white metal with a pinkish tinge.
Keyword:
Geoffrey
Keyword:
pharmeceuticals
Keyword:
solder
Keyword:
cosmetics
Layman's explanation:
Bismuth has been known since the early fifteenth century, but was often confused with lead and tin until Claude Geoffrey the Younger clearly proved its distinctiveness in 1753. Bismuth can be found as crystals of the native metal, but is most often obtained from metallurgical byproducts such as lead bullion from smelting of lead, silver, copper, or gold. Bismuth has the lowest thermal conductivity of all metals. Because bismuth melts at 545 degrees kelvin, it is used in low-melting alloys with tin and cadmium for such products as electric fuses, solder, and fire detectors. Bismuth is also used in pharmaceuticals, medicine, and cosmetics such as lipstick and eye polish.
Citation of a publication:
Acta Crystallographica 15 (1962)
p 865-872; Cucka, P. Barrett, C.S.
Lab name:
Common molecules
Sample provider:
Obtained from the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database
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