Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Barium

Atomic number 56 means that every Barium nucleus contains 56 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Barium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 56 means that every Barium nucleus contains 56 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Barium.

Barium (Ba) is chemical element 56. It belongs to the alkaline-earth metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in medical imaging equipment, drilling fluids and fireworks.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 56 means that every Barium nucleus contains 56 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Barium.

Keep exploring

→ Barium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

56BaBarium
Barium · Ba · Z = 56

Barium (Ba) is chemical element 56. It belongs to the alkaline-earth metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Barium (Ba) is chemical element 56. It belongs to the alkaline-earth metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in medical imaging equipment, drilling fluids and fireworks.

What its position in the table tells us

Barium sits in period 6, group 2 and the S block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.