What is a Barium Carbonate (BaCO₃)?

Barium Carbonate (BaCO₃) is an inorganic compound composed of barium and carbonate ions. It appears as white crystals or powder and is very insoluble in water, but it dissolves easily in acids while being nearly insoluble in alkaline solutions. Barium is an alkaline earth metal, and barium carbonate is one of its representative compounds. It is mainly used in industrial applications and is chemically stable, making it useful across various industries.

Barium carbonate plays a crucial role in the production of glass, ceramics, batteries, pigments, rubber, and plastics. In particular, it is used in glass and ceramic manufacturing for its excellent insulating properties and strength. It is also used as a radiation shielding material because of its high ability to block radiation, making it widely used in radiation-related devices and facilities. In addition, barium carbonate has important roles in chemical experiments. For instance, since barium salts do not dissolve in water, it is used as a reagent to measure water hardness. Moreover, barium compounds are also used in the medical field as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging. However, barium compounds are toxic, and careful handling is required. If ingested, they can be harmful to health, so appropriate safety measures must be taken.

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