Bismuth (Bi) Fun Facts

83 Bi
Superhero Identity

"The Stomach Soother, the surprisingly non-toxic heavy metal hero who calms upset stomachs."

The true essence of Bismuth (Bi) on the molecular frontier.

Appearance

Bismuth is a brittle, silvery-white metal with a pinkish, iridescent tarnish.

Everyday Connection

Bismuth is found as the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol.

In Pop Culture

Bismuth forms beautiful rainbow-colored crystals often used as decorations.

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Did You Know?

1

It is one of the few substances, along with water and gallium, that is less dense as a solid than as a liquid, meaning solid bismuth will float on molten bismuth.

2

Despite being a heavy metal, bismuth has exceptionally low toxicity, which is why its compounds are the active ingredient in stomach-soothing medicines like Pepto-Bismol.

3

Bismuth has the most striking iridescent tarnish, forming a rainbow-colored oxide layer on its surface, which is why it's popular for decorative crystals.

4

It is the most naturally diamagnetic element, meaning it is strongly repelled by magnetic fields.

5

Alloys of bismuth with low melting points are used in the fusible plugs of automatic fire sprinkler systems.