Bismuth

Not a lot is known about bismuth- but it is quite possibly one of the prettiest elements I have done so far. It is a very brittle, crystalline, silver metal with a multicolored tinge to it. It is the most naturally diamagnetic metal- this means that it is repelled by the magnetic field.

It also has a high electrical resistance... in fact, it's thermal conductivity is the lowest of any metal, excusing mercury. Like water, when it is frozen it expands.

Bismuth is often used in:

• Medicine (bismuth subnitrate)
• Cosmetics
• Fire detectors and extinguishers
• Bismuth/tin alloy (replacement for lead in bullets.)