Therefore I will make this post in English!
I've studied Chemistry for almost 4 years now, I'm currently studying at the Institute of energy Technology, where I study the use of "tracers" for reservoirs purposes.
Enough said, the cause of this post is to tell you about a new purchase I've just done!
It's of a metallic substance called Bismuth!
this Substance is given different names all over the world, as said in the title, but it all comes back to the original "chemical symbol", Bi.
Here are some facts!
Bismuth is an element in the periodic table of elements.
It's "atomic number" is 83, it's "group number" is 15 and it's period is "6".
The element Bismuth probably been known to man since the "ancient antic"(correct me if I'm wrong on this), but was not discovered as an independent matter before the middle age, when discovered by the alchemist Basilius Valentinus in 1450. In earlier ages Bismuth was often mistaken for tin or lead. First in 1753 was it classified as a metal by Claude François Geoffroy
It's weight is estimated to 208,98038 unit.
It's melting point is 271,2¤C, the boiling point is 1564¤C.
It's electrons per energy level, or electron shells, are 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5.
Bismuth is not much so reactive, but it's electron configuration tells us that this matter reacts well with halogens, even sulfur.
In room temperature Bismuth doesn't oxidize, and it's not affected by corrosion when in contact with water, nor does it take any affect by hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or base solutions.
Bismuth is also radioactive but the radiation is so weak, that's it's nearly measurable due to it's long "decay-time". Due to this time, Bismuth i almost cleared as "stable" or non-radioactive.
Bismuth is also one of the few non-poisonous heavy metals.
In 2007 there were produced 5700 tons Bismuth worldwide.
The biggest producer was China with 3000 tons, followed by Kasakhstan (1200 tons) and Peru (960 tons). Worlds commercial mineral-reserves is estimated to be around 320 000 tons.
The price of Bismuth varied tremendously in 2007! From approximately 16 USD to about 41 USD per kilo!
The average price in 2007 was 0ver 176% higher than in 2006!
- Bismuth is used as an alloy with low melting point.
- Ammunition with Bismuth is approved by the USA, and Norway, as a non-poisonous ammunition, due to the introduce prohibition against poisonous ammo, lead.
- Bismuth is used as a protection against radiation.
- Bismuth is used as a compensation or a substitute for lead, because it's less poisonous.
- Vismutoxcidchlorid is often used in make up.
- Bismuth is used in the mechanism that triggers sprinkler systems.
Back to my purchase!
I've just purchased a bismuth crystal!
This one is grown by a man named J. Kihle in 2007.
This one is number "5" of total "8" made in this series of crystals by Kihle.
J.Kihle is a chemist/geologist/artist at "The Institut of Energy Technology", he has also been featured in media for his interest in Bismuth and his technics of growing them.
A friend of mine and I have been so lucky, that we got to watch him try to make a crystal, LIVE!
It's a hard and very delicate procedure, that takes a lot of time, and extreme accuracy!
Unfortunately it didn't go that well, but it was fun to watch!
This one is weighs 324 grams, I paid 1000 Norwegian kroner, it's about 3 kroners per gram. 1000 NOK equals about 160 USD, in todays valutta.
Unfortunately my camera is not able to capture all it's coloration, but it's looks absolutely stunning.
Thanks for reading! Please give feedback :)
