Barium
Barium is a chemical element with Ba symbol and atomic number 56. These silvery white alkaline elements are used in the manufacture of vacuum and alloy tubes. Barium is a chemical element with the symbol Ba and the number 56. Barium is the fifth element in Group 2, alkali metal, silvery smooth metal. Barium does not exist naturally in its pure form because of its active reaction with Earth's air. Barium Oxide in history is known as baryta but it reacts with water and carbon dioxide and is not in the form of minerals. The most common forms of minerals are in the form of non-soluble barium sulfate, BaSO4, and barium carbonate, BaCO3. The name Barium comes from the Greek barys, meaning "weight", describing the high density of some ore containing ordinary barium. Barium has little industrial use, but this metal has been used to remove air in vacuum tubes. Barium compounds provide green spots in flames and are used to produce fireworks.