An Introduction
Boron is present in group 13 and is the fifth element of the periodic table.
- The group 13 elements are called the boron family.
- Boron shows many dissimilarities with its group members.
- Boron has 5 electrons.
- The atomic number of boron is 5 whereas its atomic weight is 10.
- 1) Naming and History
- 2) Occurrence of Boron
- 3) Properties of Boron
- 4) Boron in Biological Systems
- 5) Uses of Boron
- 6) Isotopes of Boron
- 7) MCQs with Answers
- 8) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Boron
- 9) Summary: Occurrence, Properties, Uses, & Isotopes of Boron Element
- 10) You may also like to learn:
Naming and History
The name of boron is derived from the Arabic word “Buraq” which was used for the mineral borax. It is also said that the name is from the Persian word “Burah”. This was also for the borax.
Boron was in use by early people as borax for centuries. People of that time obtained borax from Lake Yamdok in Tibet. Goldsmiths used this as a flux.
The work on boron was started in the early 19th century. In 1808, Sir Humphry Davy in London and Joseph Lussac and Louis Jacques in Paris independently produced Boron. They heated potassium metal with borax but a pure form of boron was not obtained.
In 1892, Henri Moissan isolated boron. The pure boron was produced by E. Weintraub. He produced boron by sparking the mixture of Boron chloride, water vapor, and hydrogen. The resultant element showed different properties as were studied by previous ones.
Occurrence of Boron
Boron is not found in its pure form. It is very difficult to produce pure boron. It forms 0.001% of Earth’s crust. Boron is mostly present in combined forms as acids and in minerals which are part of sedimentary rocks. The boron-containing minerals are kernite, ulexite, borax, colemanite, borates, etc.
Boron is present as boric acid. Hot water springs and volcanic springs contain boric acids in water. In combined form with oxygen, boron is present as oxyborate ions. The major miners and suppliers of Boron to the world are Turkey, Chile, Tibet.
Properties of Boron
Boron is a semi-metal or metalloid. Boron has allotropes; the most common of which is amorphous boron which comes in the form of brown powder. In crystalline form, the boron is black and very hard.
At room temperature, it is a poor conductor but at high temperatures, it is a good conductor of electricity. It resembles the carbon family more than its own family. It forms covalent bonds rather than ionic bonds. Boron nitride, the chemical compound of boron is the second hardest compound after the diamond.
The melting point of boron is 2075°C and its boiling point is 4000°C. Boron has a density of 2.37 grams per cubic centimeter. It exists as solid at room temperature.
Boron in Biological Systems
Boron is an essential trace element to living organisms. Although the role of boron in humans and other animals is not studied deep-rooted. In plants, boron is required for the strengthening of cell walls. Thus, soil contains boron elements in small amounts.
Recent studies show that boron elements can possibly be used for the treatment of brain tumors. And as tracers in animals. Deficiency of boron in rats showed poorly developed coat.
Uses of Boron
Boron is used in flare pyrotechnics to produce a distinctive green blaze of light.
Borax is used in the coating of glass, making particular types of glasses. It is also used in detergents, enamels, cosmetics, eye drops, mild antiseptics, and glazes for tiles.
Boron is used in the fuels of rockets as an ignitor.
Boric oxide is used in the synthesis of Pyrex (glass).
Boron compounds are used to some extent as wood preservatives, food preservatives and insecticides.
The aerospace industry uses boron filaments due to their lightweight and great strength.
Boric acid is also a very important compound of boron. It is used in glass insulation, as a fire retardant, antiseptics, and in the making of other compounds.
Isotopes of Boron
There are 11 known isotopes whose half-lives are also known. These range from mass numbers 7 to 17. There are two naturally occurring stable isotopes of boron: Boron- 10 and Boron- 11.
Boron- 10 is an excellent neutron absorber. It is widely used in nuclear reactors to control nuclear reactions and as a protective radiation shield and as a neutron detector.
MCQs with Answers
- What is the atomic number of Boron?
- A) 3
- B) 5
- C) 13
- D) 27
- Answer: B
- Which family does Boron belong to in the periodic table?
- A) Alkali Metals
- B) Halogens
- C) Noble Gases
- D) Boron Family
- Answer: D
- What is the origin of the name “Boron”?
- A) Latin word for “earth”
- B) Arabic word for “gold”
- C) Greek word for “mines”
- D) Persian word for “water”
- Answer: C
- Who independently produced Boron in the early 19th century?
- A) Henri Moissan
- B) E. Weintraub
- C) Sir Humphry Davy
- D) Joseph Lussac
- Answer: C
- In what form is Boron mostly present in Earth’s crust?
- A) Free metal
- B) As oxyborate ions
- C) As a gas
- D) In combination with gold
- Answer: B
- What is the major source of Boron to the world?
- A) China
- B) Turkey
- C) United States
- D) Australia
- Answer: B
- What is the common allotrope of Boron?
- A) Cubic Boron
- B) Amorphous Boron
- C) Boron Nitride
- D) Boron Carbide
- Answer: B
- Which property makes Boron similar to the carbon family?
- A) Conductivity
- B) Bonding type
- C) Melting Point
- D) Density
- Answer: B
- What is the melting point of Boron?
- A) 1000°C
- B) 1500°C
- C) 2075°C
- D) 3000°C
- Answer: C
- What role does Boron play in plant biology?
- A) Energy production
- B) Cell wall strengthening
- C) Photosynthesis
- D) Root development
- Answer: B
- What recent studies suggest about Boron in medical applications?
- A) Treatment of skin disorders
- B) Treatment of brain tumors
- C) Enhancing muscle growth
- D) Immune system boost
- Answer: B
- In which industry are Boron filaments commonly used?
- A) Textile
- B) Automotive
- C) Aerospace
- D) Construction
- Answer: C
- What is the primary use of Borax?
- A) Fuel for rockets
- B) Wood preservative
- C) Glass coating
- D) Pyrotechnics
- Answer: C
- Which Boron isotope is widely used in nuclear reactors for neutron absorption?
- A) Boron-7
- B) Boron-10
- C) Boron-11
- D) Boron-15
- Answer: B
- What does Boric oxide contribute to in glass synthesis?
- A) Transparency
- B) Color
- C) Strength
- D) Insulation
- Answer: D
- How many naturally occurring stable isotopes does Boron have?
- A) 1
- B) 2
- C) 3
- D) 4
- Answer: B
- What is the primary function of Boron-10 in nuclear reactors?
- A) Initiating reactions
- B) Absorbing neutrons
- C) Generating heat
- D) Shielding radiation
- Answer: B
- What deficiency symptom was observed in rats lacking Boron?
- A) Respiratory issues
- B) Poor coat development
- C) Weakness in limbs
- D) Loss of appetite
- Answer: B
- Which Boron compound is used in glass insulation and as a fire retardant?
- A) Borax
- B) Boric oxide
- C) Boron Nitride
- D) Boric acid
- Answer: D
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Boron
- What is the significance of Boron being in group 13 of the periodic table?
- Boron is part of the boron family, showing dissimilarities with other group members. It has 5 electrons, an atomic number of 5, and an atomic weight of 10.
- What is the origin of the name “Boron”?
- The name “Boron” is derived from the Arabic word “Buraq,” used for the mineral borax, or from the Persian word “Burah,” also associated with borax.
- How did early people use Boron, and where did they obtain it?
- Early people used borax, obtained from Lake Yamdok in Tibet, as a flux in various applications, including goldsmithing.
- Who were the key contributors to the discovery and isolation of Boron in the 19th century?
- Sir Humphry Davy in London, Joseph Lussac, and Louis Jacques in Paris independently produced Boron in 1808. Henri Moissan later isolated pure Boron in 1892.
- Where is Boron found in nature?
- Boron is not found in its pure form but rather in combined forms as acids and in minerals within sedimentary rocks. Major sources include kernite, ulexite, borax, colemanite, and borates.
- What are the major miners and suppliers of Boron globally?
- Turkey, Chile, and Tibet are among the major miners and suppliers of Boron to the world.
- What are the properties of Boron?
- Boron is a semi-metal or metalloid with allotropes, including amorphous boron (brown powder) and crystalline boron (black and very hard). It forms covalent bonds, and Boron nitride is the second hardest compound after diamond.
- How does Boron contribute to biological systems?
- Boron is an essential trace element for living organisms. It strengthens cell walls in plants, and recent studies suggest potential medical applications, including brain tumor treatment.
- What are the main uses of Boron?
- Boron is used in flare pyrotechnics, glass coating, detergents, enamels, cosmetics, eye drops, rocket fuels, glass synthesis, wood preservatives, and the aerospace industry.
- Why is Boron-10 significant among Boron isotopes?
- Boron-10 is an excellent neutron absorber, widely used in nuclear reactors to control reactions, act as a protective radiation shield, and function as a neutron detector. It has stable isotopes Boron-10 and Boron-11.
- How does Boron-10 contribute to nuclear reactors?
- Boron-10 is utilized in nuclear reactors to control nuclear reactions, provide protective radiation shielding, and serve as a neutron detector due to its excellent neutron absorption properties.
- Are there any health-related applications of Boron?
- Recent studies suggest potential medical applications of boron elements, including the treatment of brain tumors and their use as tracers in animals. However, the role of boron in humans and animals is not deeply rooted.
- What deficiency symptoms were observed in rats lacking Boron?
- Rats deficient in Boron showed a poorly developed coat, indicating a potential role of Boron in coat development.
- How is Boron used in the aerospace industry?
- Boron filaments, known for their lightweight and great strength, are commonly used in the aerospace industry.
- What are the notable applications of Boron compounds in daily life?
- Boron compounds find applications in flare pyrotechnics, glass coating, detergents, enamels, cosmetics, eye drops, rocket fuels, wood preservatives, and aerospace materials.
- Is Boron commonly found in its pure form?
- No, Boron is not found in its pure form in nature, and producing pure Boron is challenging.
Summary: Occurrence, Properties, Uses, & Isotopes of Boron Element
This comprehensive tutorial delves into the multifaceted aspects of Boron, covering its occurrence, properties, biological relevance, diverse applications, and isotopic characteristics.
- Introduction:
- Boron, the fifth element in the periodic table, belongs to group 13, known as the boron family. With 5 electrons, an atomic number of 5, and an atomic weight of 10, Boron exhibits distinct characteristics within its group.
- Naming and History:
- The name “Boron” finds its origin in the Arabic word “Buraq” or the Persian word “Burah,” both associated with the mineral borax. Early civilizations, particularly goldsmiths, utilized borax as a flux, and the exploration of Boron began in the early 19th century.
- Occurrence of Boron:
- Boron is a challenging element to find in its pure form, constituting only 0.001% of the Earth’s crust. It primarily exists in combined forms as acids and in minerals like kernite, ulexite, borax, and colemanite. Major global suppliers include Turkey, Chile, and Tibet.
- Properties of Boron:
- As a semi-metal or metalloid, Boron displays allotropes, with amorphous boron in brown powder form and crystalline boron appearing black and very hard. It is a poor conductor at room temperature but becomes an efficient conductor at high temperatures. Boron nitride, a chemical compound, ranks as the second hardest compound after diamond.
- Boron in Biological Systems:
- Despite limited studies on its role in humans, Boron is an essential trace element for living organisms. In plants, it contributes to the strengthening of cell walls, and recent studies hint at potential medical applications, including brain tumor treatment.
- Uses of Boron:
- Boron finds diverse applications, from creating distinctive green light in flare pyrotechnics to glass coating, rocket fuels, wood preservatives, and aerospace materials. Boron compounds, including borax and boric acid, are utilized in detergents, enamels, cosmetics, and glass insulation.
- Isotopes of Boron:
- Boron has 11 known isotopes, with Boron-10 and Boron-11 being naturally occurring stable isotopes. Boron-10 stands out as an excellent neutron absorber, widely employed in nuclear reactors for controlling reactions, serving as a protective radiation shield, and acting as a neutron detector.