Barium Nitrate is a versatile chemical used in many different fields. Some of its more popular uses include:
Fireworks: Barium nitrate is commonly used as an oxidizer in the manufacture of green fireworks. When ignited, it produces a bright green flame.
Pyrotechnics: Barium nitrate is used in the production of various pyrotechnics, like signal flares, tracer bullets, and incendiary bombs.
Glass manufacturing: Barium nitrate is used as a component in producing certain types of glass, like optical and crown glass. It helps to improve the refractive index and chemical resistance of the glass.
Medical applications: Barium nitrate is sometimes used as a contrast agent in medical imaging procedures, like as X-rays and CT scans, to help highlight certain organs or tissues in the body.
Explosives: Barium nitrate is also used as an oxidizing agent in the production of certain types of explosives, like flash powder and detonators.
Rat poison: Barium nitrate has been used in the past as a rat poison, although it's pretty toxic so we don't use it anymore as it poses an unnecessary danger to things other than rats.