Bismuth: Element and geochemistry

Physical properties

Bismuth (Ger., Weisse Masse, white mass, later Wismuth, latinized to ‘bisemutum’). Atomic symbol: Bi. Atomic weight: 208.9804. Atomic number: 83. Electron configuration: [Xe]4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6s²p³. Melting point: 544.52°C. Boiling point: 1837°C. Density: 9.8 g/cm³ at 300 K. Oxidation states: 0, ±3, +5. Ionic radius: 1.01 Å. Electronegativity (Pauling's): 2.02. Crystal modifications: rhombohedral metallic form. Isotopic abundance; Bi ²⁰⁹, 100%; several other isotopes occur as short lived daughter products in the decay of the following radioisotopes: U²³⁸→Bi ²¹⁰ and Bi ²¹⁴; U²³⁵→Bi ²¹¹ and Bi ²¹³; Th²³²→Bi ²¹². Bismuth is a brittle, diamagnetic, reddish white metal which tarnishes brassy and is a poor conductor of heat and electricity.

Minerals and compounds

Bismuth is occasionally found as native metal containing traces of arsenic (As), sulfur (S), and tellurium (Te). The most common natural mineral form is the mineral bismuthinite (Bi₂S₃). Bismuthinite closely resembles...