Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Bismuth

Atomic number 83 means that every Bismuth nucleus contains 83 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Bismuth.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 83 means that every Bismuth nucleus contains 83 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Bismuth.

Bismuth (Bi) is chemical element 83. It belongs to the post-transition 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 applications, cosmetics and alloys.

See the atom

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

What this number means

Atomic number 83 means that every Bismuth nucleus contains 83 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Bismuth.

Keep exploring

→ Bismuth · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

83BiBismuth
Bismuth · Bi · Z = 83

Bismuth (Bi) is chemical element 83. It belongs to the post-transition 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

Bismuth (Bi) is chemical element 83. It belongs to the post-transition 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 applications, cosmetics and alloys.

What its position in the table tells us

Bismuth sits in period 6, group 15 and the P block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.