Barium sulfide facts for kids
Barium sulfide is a chemical compound. Think of it as a tiny building block made of two different parts. Its special code name is BaS. This means it's made from barium and sulfide parts, which are like tiny charged particles called ions.
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What is Barium Sulfide Like?
When barium sulfide is super clean, it has no color at all. But if it's not perfectly pure, it can look colored. It slowly mixes with water. When it does, it creates two new things: barium hydroxide and hydrogen sulfide. It also reacts with acids. This reaction makes a barium salt and more hydrogen sulfide gas.
How is Barium Sulfide Made?
Scientists make barium sulfide in a special way. They start with a different compound called barium sulfate. Then, they mix it with carbon and heat it up to a very high temperature. This process is called reduction. It helps change the barium sulfate into barium sulfide.
What is Barium Sulfide Used For?
Barium sulfide is important for making other barium compounds. These compounds are often made from barium ore, which is a rock that contains barium.
Is Barium Sulfide Safe?
Barium sulfide looks a lot like another compound called barium sulfate. But there's a big difference! Barium sulfate is not harmful. However, barium sulfide is very dangerous and toxic. When barium sulfide mixes with water, it creates two harmful substances. These are toxic hydrogen sulfide gas and toxic barium hydroxide. Because it's so dangerous, it's extremely important to never touch or swallow barium sulfide.
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