What is Barium carbonate?
[[File:Uhličitan barnatý.JPG|thumb|Barium carbonate]] [[File:Witherite Barium carbonate South Moor Colliery Durham England.jpg|thumb|Witherite, the natural form]] '''Barium carbonate''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its [[chemical formula]] is BaCO<sub>3</sub>. It contains [[barium]] and [[carbonate]] [[ion]]s. ==Properties== Barium carbonate is a white solid. It does not dissolve in water. It reacts with [[acid]]s to make barium [[salt]]s. It turns into [[barium oxide]] and [[carbon dioxide]] when heated. It reacts with [[sulfuric acid]] to make [[barium sulfate]] though. ==Occurrence== Barium carbonate occurs as '''witherite'''. Witherite is the main source of barium salts. It is more easily turned into other barium compounds than barium sulfate, barite. It is heavily mined in [[Northumberland]]. It turns into barium sulfate when water containing sulfates flows through it. ==Preparation== It can be purified from the natural ore, or it can be made by reacting [[barium sulfide]] with [[sodium carbonate]]. It can also be made by reacting barium sulfide with a mixture of carbon dioxide and water. ==Uses== Barium carbonate is used to poison [[rat]]s. It is also used in making [[brick]]s. It is also used to glaze [[ceramic]]s. This glaze can make different colors. ==Safety== Barium carbonate can dissolve in stomach acid, so it is toxic. There is a [[wikt:controversy|controversy]] over whether it should be used as a glaze. ==Related pages== *[[Barium chloride]] *[[Barium bromide]] [[Category:Barium compounds]] [[Category:Carbonates]]