Element Bismuth, Bi, Poor Metal
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Bismuth History
History of bismuth is complex, because before the middle of 18th century in early times Bismuth was confused with antimony, tin and lead. It has been known in Europe as a peculiar metal as well as in form of salts since 15th century. It was mentioned in many works on 15th - 17th century's authors, especially those of Valentinus and Paracelsus. Its production was first described by Agricola. Edmund von Lippmann in his in "Geschichte des Wismuts zwischen 1460 und 1800" (1930) encountered in the literature from the 15th to the 17th century 21 names for the metal. In 16th and 17th centuries bismuth was widely used in alloys, and its salts applied in medicine and in make-ups. However only in 18th century by the work of Pott and Bergman, bismuth was definitely recognized century as a specific metal. The origine of the name "bismuth" is not clear. Perhaps it came from German Wismuth, presumably weiBe Masse, "white mass".
Bismuth Occurrence
Poor Metal Bismuth abundance is 2x10-5 mass % in the Earth's crust, and 2x10-5 mg/l in sea water. It is found in a great number of minerals, the main ones of which are bismuth glance Bi2S3, native bismuth, bismite Bi2O3 and other. In large quantities but small concentrations bismuth is also found as an isomorphic impurity in lead-zinc, copper, molybdenum-cobalt and tin-tungsten ores. Almost 90% of world extraction comes from complex ores processing by-products.
Bismuth Neighbours
Elements Periodic Table |