A silvery white, brittle, metallic element of group V of the periodic table. Bismuth was first identified as a separate element in 1753. Its chief ores are bismite (Bi2O3) and bismuthinite (Bi2S3) from which it is extracted by roasting with coal. Bismuth a rather poor conductor of heat and electricity that expands on solidifying. It is put in alloys of low melting point which are used in automatic sprinkler systems. Bismuth is also used in insoluble compounds to treat gastric ulcers and skin injuries. Its most common isotope is bismuth-209.
