by Greg Mill Valley Middle School 8th grade
	Properties History Uses Hazards Miscellaneous Facts Glossary Bibliography
Properties: Density at 293K- 9.8 g/cm3 Atomic Mass- 208.9804 amu Protons- 83 Neutrons- 126 Electrons- 83 Melting Point- 271ºC/520ºF Boiling Point- 1560ºC/2840ºF Classification- Other metals Color- White State at room temp.- solid Electron configuration- [Xe] 4f14 5d 106s2 6s2 6p3	At room temperature, Bismuth alone is hard and brittle, but can be combined with other metals to form malleable alloys. Although it is mostly white, Bismuth also has a reddish or silvery tinge. Bismuth is so rare, it can only be found in a few different countries, mostly Germany and Bolivia. Bismuth can only be found in about 0.00002% of all igneous rocks on earth, and is formed mostly by volcanic activity.
	History: Although little history of Bismuth is known, it was supposedly discovered in Germany and is named for the German word "wissmuth" meaning "white mass", because Bismuth is a white, massive substance. This element was first separated from other elements by Casper Newmann in the 1400's, and more specifically identified by Claude Geoffrey in the 1750's, but many more discoveries and further investigations of Bismuth have been made since then. When it was first discovered, Bismuth was confused with tin, as it has similar properties.
Uses: Although Bismuth is a very rare element, it is still used in some everyday things such as household fuses, fire alarms and sprinkler systems. This is because Bismuth has a low melting point for a metal, so in a fuse it will easily melt away and break the circuit if the current gets too hot. Bismuth is also used in medicines and other pharmaceuticals such as Pepto-Bismol, which is used to cure things like heartburn and indigestion and can be bought over the counter.
	Hazards: Bismuth is less toxic than most metals, but still can cause kidney problems if a lot of it is digested. However, when combined with other things, it can become even less harmful and can help with indigestion, as it is the main ingredient in Pepto-Bismol.
Miscellaneous Facts: Name in English: Bismuth Old German: Vissmuth French: Bismuth German: Bismut Italian: Bismuto Spanish: Bismuto Bismuth has the least thermal conductivity of all elements in the periodic table. Bismuth and Antimony are the only two metals that have greater resistance while in a solid form than as a liquid. This element is found in only 0.00002% of all igneous rocks on earth. Bismuth is also the name of an ammunition manufacturer. There used to be a "Bismuth Institute" to study and research all about Bismuth. Bismuth is the most diamagnetic of all metals. It has the lowest thermal conductivity of all metals except for mercury.
Bibliography: -Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Physical Science, Holt Science and Technology, Austin, Texas, 2001, pg. 328 -Interactive Periodic Table -Bismuth Statistics and Information -Web Elements Periodic Table
Images found at: www.bath.ac.uk/~bsspjj/ www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/ floatingrock/a1.html www.tack.bvu.edu/2000/02/ 11/wellness.htm www.library.thinkquest.org/ J001156/wordgames.htm www.users.aol.com/nikkinflux/87.htm www.lindaslyrics.com/ images/Scroll.jpg www.dol.gov/dol/oasam/public/ grants/enpref/guiderm.htm www.edmondchamber.com/ Edmond_FAQs.asp www.cooper.edu/engineering/chemechem/ depts_info/topper.html www2.jun.alaska.edu/alumni/ leglink2.html
Glossary:
diamagnetic: relating to a substance that is repelled by a magnet. thermal conductivity: how well an element conducts heat. malleable: can be shaped and formed, hammered and rolled.