Wikijunior:The Elements/Boron

Shows the position of Boron on the periodic chart.

General:

Boron is a chemical element. Boron’s atomic number is 5, and its symbol is B. Boron belongs to the metalloid category of elements on the periodic table. The periodic table arranges chemical elements into periods (rows) and groups (columns). Boron is in period 2 and group 13.

Boron sometimes conducts electricity like a metal. It is classified as a semiconductor. Semiconductors are also known as metalloids. Metalloids have properties that are in between those of a metal and a nonmetal. Other elements that are classified as metalloids are silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium.

What does it look, feel, taste, and smell like?

Boron has no distinct feel, odor, or color. Boron compounds may have a slight odor and a slightly sweet or bitter taste.

There are two forms of boron. One is made of extremely hard black crystals. Its atoms and molecules are arranged in an orderly way. It is known as crystalline boron. The other form of boron is a brown powder. The atoms and molecules of the powdered form are disordered and shapeless.

Is it dangerous?

Exposure to small amounts of boron is not dangerous. However, ingesting large amounts can cause nausea and vomiting. Boron dust can irritate the delicate lining of the lungs. Contact with boron compounds can cause skin and eye irritation.

Where does its name come from?

The word “borax” comes from both Arabic and Persian languages. The Arabic term is buraq meaning “white”; the Persian term is burah.

How was it discovered?

Boron was first discovered in France in 1808, by Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis-Jacques Thenard. They combined boric acid with potassium. The result was a gray solid they named bore. In England, Sir Humphrey Davy used a similar method to discover boron around the same time.

Where is it found?

Pure boron is not found naturally on Earth. It exists in minerals called borates. The minerals borax and kernite are sources of boron. These minerals are found in arid, dry regions where there were once ancient lakes. There are borate mines in California’s Mojave Desert. There are borate mines in Turkey, China and India.

What are its uses?

For people, boron has important health benefits. It makes strong bones and helps with brain function.

For plants, boron is needed for pollination, root growth, and flowering. Inside a plant, boron keeps cells and membranes strong and stable. It helps to move sugar and energy to growing parts.

Egyptians and Romans used borax for cleaning and preserving food. Today, borax is used for household cleaning and laundry. It is an ingredient in “slime” recipes for kids’ crafts. Boron compounds are used to make toothpaste, lotion, and sunscreen. Boric acid is used in insecticides, flame retardants, antiseptics, and other useful compounds. Boric oxide is used in heat resistant cookware such as Pyrex™.

Brown-powder boron is used to create green flames in fireworks. Boron carbide is an extremely hard substance nicknamed “black diamond”. It is used in making tank armor and bullet-proof vests.

References

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Curtis, L. (2023, September 21). Sodium borate: Is it safe? And how it differs from the mineral boron. Verywellhealth.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/sodium-borate-509193

Ducksters. (2024). Chemistry for Kids: Elements - Boron. https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/boron.php

Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). Sodium tetraborate. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/academic-and-educational-journals/sodium-tetraborate

Helmenstine, A. (2019, February 6). Boron Chemical & Physical Properties. Boron's Chemical and Physical Properties (thoughtco.com)

JLab Science Education. (n.d.). The periodic table of elements. The element boron. https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele005.html

Kiddle Encyclopedia. (2023, October 16). Chemical compounds facts for kids. https://kids.kiddle.co/Chemical_compound

Kiddle Encyclopedia. (2023). Semiconductor Facts for Kids. Semiconductor Facts for Kids (kiddle.co)

Smith, M. (2022, August 20). Borax. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-zguides-borax-sodium-tetraborate

Thoughtco.com. Understanding phosphorous, boron and other semiconductor materials.

Updated by M. Bellis, September 24, 2018 Retrieved June 1, 2024.

Understanding Phosphorous, Boron and Other Semiconductor Materials (thoughtco.com)