A silvery-white reactive element belonging to group 2 (formerly IIA) of the periodic table; a.n. 56; r.a.m. 137.34; r.d. 3.51; m.p. 725°C; b.p. 1640°C. It occurs as the minerals barytes (BaSO4) and witherite (BaCO3). Extraction is by high-temperature reduction of barium oxide with aluminium or silicon in a vacuum, or by electrolysis of fused barium chloride. The metal is used as a getter in vacuum systems. It oxidizes readily in air and reacts with ethanol and water. Soluble barium compounds are extremely poisonous. It was first identified in 1774 by Karl Scheele, and was extracted by Humphry Davy in 1808.
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