Quick answerBismuth (Bi) is a post-transition metal with atomic number 83 and an atomic mass of 208.98 (2023), in group 15, period 6. It was discovered by Claude François Geoffroy in 1753. It is used for stomach medicine and cosmetics. Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3.
Bismuth is the pink heart of stomach medicine, and its crystals grow in rainbow staircases that collectors prize.
Key facts
| Symbol | Bi |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 83 |
| Atomic mass | 208.98 (IUPAC standard atomic weight, 2023) |
| Category | post-transition metal |
| Group | 15 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3 |
| Discovered | Claude François Geoffroy, 1753 |
| Uses | stomach medicine, cosmetics, low-melting alloys, fire sprinklers, fishing weights |
Quick quiz
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Keep exploring
- Periodic table — all 118 elements
- Gallium (Ga) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 31
- Indium (In) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 49
- Tin (Sn) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 50
- Thallium (Tl) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 81
- Lead (Pb) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 82
- Polonium (Po) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 84
- Nihonium (Nh) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 113
- Flerovium (Fl) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 114
- Moscovium (Mc) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 115
- Livermorium (Lv) — another post-transition metal, atomic number 116
- All post-transition metal elements — on the periodic table
Sources & last updated
- CIAAW — Standard Atomic Weights
- PubChem Periodic Table
- Wikipedia — Timeline of chemical element discoveries
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.