Barium oxide
Description
An alkaline, white powder or mass that readily absorbs Water and Carbon dioxide from the air. Barium oxide is used as a dehydrating agent and as a glaze ingredient.
Synonyms and Related Terms
barium monoxide; barium protoxide; calcined baryta; heavy earth
Other Properties
Reacts exothermically with water to form barium hydroxide. Soluble in water, dilute acids and methanol.
| Composition | BaO |
|---|---|
| CAS | 1304-28-5 |
| Melting Point | 1923 |
| Density | 5.7 |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt. = 153.33 |
| Refractive Index | 1.980 |
Hazards and Safety
Highly toxic by ingestion. Contact with skin and membranes may cause irritation. Reaction with water can be violent.
International Chemical Safety Card
Authority
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 84
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985
- Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
- Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
- Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 1015
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: ref. index=1.980