By: Katie MacCallum, Jiyoung Park, David Reynolds ENGR45, 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 physical appearance 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=EKPEmL QNPS8 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 "Bismuth - Bi." Bismuth. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. <http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/bi.htm>. "Bismuth." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Feb. 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Bismuth>. "Bismuth Crystals." The Garden. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014. <https://gcobb1990.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/bismuth-crystals/>. "Bismuth Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. <http://www.chemicool.com/elements/ bismuth.html>. "How To Grow Bismuth Crystals." About. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014. <http://chemistry.about.com/od/ crystalrecipes/a/grow-bismuth- crystals.htm>. "How to Make Bismuth Crystals." Instructables.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014. <http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-Bismuth-Crystals/>. "P S ANALYTICAL"applying the Power of Atomic Fluorescence"" General Information on Bismuth. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014. <http://www.psanalytical.com/information/bismuth.html>..