chemical formula (BaSO4)

The chemical formula BaSO₄ represents barium sulfate, a compound made of three types of atoms: barium (Ba), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O). In this structure, one barium atom is bonded to one sulfate group, which consists of one sulfur atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms arranged in a specific geometry. Barium sulfate is a white, crystalline solid often used in medical imaging as a contrast agent because it is opaque to X-rays. Its formula indicates the exact number and types of atoms that make up each molecule of the compound.