(griech.)chem. Element (Symbol Ba), Ordnungszahl 56, ein silberglänzendes Leichtmetall, Dichte 3 g/cm3 (bei 15[s]C). B. kommt in der Natur in der Form des Minerals Baryt (Schwerspat) vor. In Legierungen wird es als Lagermetall (Blei-B.-Legierungen) verwendet.
Barium.
ETYM New Lat., from Greek barys heavy.
White metallic element. barium meal, drink containing a compound of barium which is opaque to X-rays, taken before or during X-ray examination of digestive tract.
Soft, silver-white, metallic element, symbol Ba, atomic number 56, atomic weight 137.33. It is one of the alkaline-earth metals, found in nature as barium carbonate and barium sulfate. As the sulfate it is used in medicine: taken as a suspension (a “barium meal”), its movement along the gut is followed using X-rays. The barium sulfate, which is opaque to X-rays, shows the shape of the gut, revealing any abnormalities of the alimentary canal. Barium is also used in alloys, pigments, and safety matches and, with strontium, forms the emissive surface in cathode-ray tubes. It was first discovered in barytes or heavy spar.
A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group; found in barite; SYN. Ba, atomic number 56.