Barium

Barium is a chemical element with the symbol Ba and atomic number 56. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that belongs to the alkaline earth metals group. Barium is not found in its pure form in nature, as it reacts easily with oxygen and water. It has important uses, particularly in medicine, where barium sulfate is used in imaging tests to visualize the digestive system. Barium compounds are also used in fireworks, ceramics, and as a weight in drilling fluids for oil extraction. Due to its reactivity, it must be handled with care.