Is Barium a Metal or Nonmetal? (+ 3 Facts You Should Know)

Barium is a metal. It is a chemical element with the symbol Ba and atomic number 56, and belongs to the alkaline earth metal group on the periodic table. Like other metals, barium has a high melting and boiling point, is a good conductor of electricity, and is malleable and ductile. ¹

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Why is barium a metal?

Barium is considered a metal because it has the physical and chemical properties of a metal. In particular, it is a highly reactive element that is malleable, ductile, and has a shiny metallic luster. It is also a good conductor of electricity and heat.

Barium is located in group 2 of the periodic table, also known as the alkaline earth metals. ²

This group consists of metallic elements that have similar properties, such as low electronegativity, low ionization energies, and a tendency to form ionic compounds with nonmetals.

Additionally, barium is classified as a soft metal, which means that it can be easily cut or shaped with a knife.

Its melting point is relatively low for a metal, at 727°C (1341°F), and it has a relatively low density compared to other metals. ³

Overall, the combination of these properties make barium a typical example of a metal and a member of the periodic table’s metal family.

Properties of barium that classify it as a metal

Here are some properties of barium that classify it as a metal.

• Malleability: Barium is malleable, which means it can be easily flattened or shaped without breaking. This property is a result of the metallic bonding that holds the atoms together in a lattice structure.
• Ductility: Like malleability, ductility is a property of metals that allows them to be stretched into thin wires without breaking. Barium is ductile due to the same metallic bonding that gives it malleability.
• Shiny luster: Barium has a shiny metallic luster, which is a result of its ability to reflect light. This property is due to the way the electrons in the metal interact with light.
• Good conductor of electricity and heat: Metals are known for their ability to conduct electricity and heat, and barium is no exception. This property is due to the movement of electrons in the metal, which can transfer energy and information. ⁴
• Low ionization energy: Barium has a low ionization energy, which means that it requires relatively little energy to remove an electron from its outermost shell. This property is a result of the way the electrons are arranged in the atom.
• High reactivity: Barium is highly reactive, which means it readily forms compounds with other elements. ⁵ This property is a result of its relatively low electronegativity, which makes it more likely to give up electrons than to gain them.

How is barium different from other metals?

Here are some ways that barium is different from other metals:

• Softness: Barium is one of the softest metals, which means that it can be easily cut with a knife. This is in contrast to many other metals, which are much harder and more difficult to cut.
• Toxicity: Barium is highly toxic and can be dangerous to humans and animals if ingested or inhaled. This is in contrast to many other metals, which are not as toxic. ⁶
• Reactivity with water: Barium is highly reactive with water, which means that it can produce explosive reactions when exposed to water or moisture. This is in contrast to many other metals, which are not as reactive with water. ^{7 8}
• Radioactivity: Some isotopes of barium are radioactive, which means that they emit radiation as they decay. This is in contrast to many other metals, which are not radioactive. ^{9 10 11 12}
• Color: Barium compounds are often used to produce bright green colors in fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays. This is in contrast to many other metals, which are not commonly used for this purpose.
• Uses: Barium has a variety of industrial and scientific uses, including in the production of glass, rubber, and paint, as well as in medical imaging and the study of soils and groundwater. Some of these uses are unique to barium and not shared by other metals.

Further reading

Is Gold a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Mercury a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Lead a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Bismuth a Metal, Nonmetal or Metalloid?
Is Radon a Metal or Nonmetal?

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