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Barium (Ba) – Element 56 of the periodic table

Barium (symbol Ba) is element number 56 of the periodic table and belongs to the “Alkaline earth metal” category. Its atomic mass is about 137.33, and its phase under standard conditions is Solid. This element sits in period 6 and group 2 of the periodic table, and its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 18, 18, 8, 2. The short electron configuration of Barium is [Xe] 6s². Known uses of Barium include Medical imaging, Glassmaking and Fireworks.

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Properties of Barium

Atomic number
56
Chemical symbol
Ba
Atomic mass
137.33
Category
Alkaline earth metal
Period
6
Group
2
Phase
Solid
Protons
56
Electrons
56
Neutrons (approx.)
81
Electron shells
2, 8, 18, 18, 8, 2
Outer-shell electrons
2
Discovered
Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1772)

Electron configuration of Barium

The electron configuration of Barium (Ba), with 56 electrons, is shown below. The last shell (shell 6) is highlighted:

Full configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 6s²
Short configuration
[Xe] 6s²
Last shell
6s²

What is electron configuration and how is it written?

Electron shells of Barium

Distribution of 56 electrons of Barium across shells K to P:

  1. K2
  2. L8
  3. M18
  4. N18
  5. O8
  6. P2

What is a alkaline earth metal?

The alkaline earth metals are the group 2 elements: reactive metals, harder than the alkali metals and with higher melting points, that usually form ions with a +2 charge.

Uses of Barium

Frequently asked questions about Barium

What is the atomic number of Barium?

The atomic number of Barium (Ba) is 56; that is, every atom of it has 56 protons.

What is the electron configuration of Barium?

The electron configuration of Barium (Ba) is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ 6s²; in short form it is [Xe] 6s², and its last shell is 6s².

What is the chemical symbol of Barium?

The chemical symbol of Barium is Ba.

Where is Barium located in the periodic table?

Barium is located in period 6 and group 2 and belongs to the “Alkaline earth metal” category.

What is the atomic mass of Barium?

The atomic mass of Barium is about 137.33 (atomic mass units).

What is the phase of Barium under normal conditions?

The phase of Barium under standard conditions is Solid.

What are the uses of Barium?

Uses of Barium include Medical imaging, Glassmaking and Fireworks.

Who discovered Barium?

Barium was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1772.

Elements in the same category as Barium (Alkaline earth metal)

Beryllium (Be)Magnesium (Mg)Calcium (Ca)Strontium (Sr)Radium (Ra)

See all Alkaline earth metals

Barium’s group 2 neighbours

Beryllium (Be)Magnesium (Mg)Calcium (Ca)Strontium (Sr)Radium (Ra)

Group 2 of the periodic table