Bismuth is the fifth and last element in Group 15 of the periodic table. Elements in this group are often referred to as the nitrogen family. Bismuth's atomic number is 83, its atomic mass is 208.9804, and its chemical symbol is Bi.

Properties

Bismuth is a soft, silvery metal with a bright, shiny surface and a yellowish or pinkish tinge. The metal breaks easily and can not be fabricated at room temperature. Its melting point is 520°F (271°C) and its boiling point is 2,840°F (1,560°C). Its density is 9.78 grams per cubic centimeter.

A somewhat unusual and valuable property of bismuth is its tendency to expand as it cools. Most liquids contract as they cool, so bismuth is an exception to the general rule. This property leads to some important applications of the metal. For example, when used as an alloy in type metal, it expands to fill...