Skip to main content
barium dioxide

barium dioxide

8.6
A white poisonous powder used to add oxygen in chemical reactions
  • noun
  • /ˈbɛəriəm daɪˈɒksaɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dióxido de bario
  • Industrially, barium dioxide is used to prepare hydrogen peroxide.

Examples

  • Always handle barium dioxide with care, as it is highly toxic.

  • The laboratory stored barium dioxide in tightly sealed containers.

  • The chemist used barium dioxide in the experiment.

  • Is barium dioxide safe to handle?

  • Always handle barium dioxide with care, as it is highly toxic.

  • Industrially, barium dioxide is used to prepare hydrogen peroxide.

  • The laboratory stored barium dioxide in tightly sealed containers.

Synonyms

barium peroxide
vsbarium dioxide
  • Specialized
8.8

A white poisonous powder once used to bleach cloth and make hydrogen peroxide

is used as a general oxidizing agent rather than for bleaching uses

Surface Forms

Morphology

barium + dioxide

The term is directly compositional: 'barium' (the element) plus 'dioxide' (an oxide containing two oxygen atoms) yields a compound of barium with two oxygens, which a learner who knows both constituents can infer. Specific properties like its color, toxicity, or use as an oxidizing agent are domain-specific and not predictable from the words, but the basic chemical identity is transparent.

Etymology

Barium dioxide gets its name from the metal barium and the parts di- and oxide. Barium comes from a Greek word meaning 'heavy', and di- plus oxide literally say 'two' 'oxygen', so the name tells you it is a heavy element joined to two oxygen atoms, a clear image that helps you remember this oxygen-rich, toxic white powder.