Home University Bursar Current Students Tuition and Fees (2014-15) Fall 2014 Students for the 2014-15 Academic Year. 1  You are a first time admitted degree-seeking student registered or Fall , Spring , or Summer term. 2  You are a non-degree seeking student.  You are a UF graduate admitted to a new degree program Fall , Spring , or Summer term.
Barium is part of a group of elements known as the alkaline earth metals. It is a silvery metal that easily turns black. It is soft and ductile. It can form alloys with some metals that are partially alloys and partially chemical compounds.
Barium is a metal, but has no significant uses as such. A significant medical use of barium is to enhance x-ray images of the intestinal tract. Barium has a high atomic number and absorbs x-rays strongly. A thin paste of barium sulfate, BaSO 4, and water is is swallowed to coat the alimentary canal.This gives greater definition and contrast to the x-ray images of the tract.The low solubility of barium sulfate minimizes the toxic effects which might occur with other barium compounds.The mineral form of barium sulfate is called barite.his gives greater definition and contrast to the x-ray images of the tract. The low solubility of barium sulfate minimizes the toxic effects which might occur with other barium compounds. The mineral form of barium sulfate is called barite.