Periodic table / Barium

Overview

Barium is a chemical element with symbol Ba and atomic number 56. It is the fifth element in Group 2, a soft silvery metallic alkaline earth metal. Because of its high chemical reactivity barium is never found in nature as a free element.

Electron configuration

The electron configuration of Barium is [Xe] 6s2, with electron shells of 2, 8, 18, 18, 8, 2.

Physical and chemical properties

Barium is classified as a alkaline earth metal. It has an atomic mass of 137.328 and exists as a solid at standard conditions.

Real-world uses of Barium

Barium and other alkaline earth metals are commonly used in alloys, industrial compounds, and in some cases in medical or agricultural applications.

Interesting facts about Barium

• Barium has the atomic number 56 and chemical symbol Ba.
• It belongs to period 6, group 2 of the periodic table.
• Barium was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

Explore Barium interactively

Want to compare Barium with other elements or see it highlighted on the full table? Open the interactive periodic table and click on Ba to explore properties, trends, and neighboring elements. You can also test your knowledge with our periodic table quiz game.