Boron | Name | Boron | | Symbol | B | | Atomic Number | 5 | | Atomic Mass | 10.811 atomic mass units | | Number of Protons | 5 | | Number of Neutrons | 6 | | Number of Electrons | 5 | | Melting Point | 2300.0° C | | Boiling Point | 2550.0° C | | Density | 2.34 grams per cubic centimeter | | Normal Phase | Solid | | Family | Metalloids | | Period | 2 | | Cost | $5 per gram | | Origin of Name | From the Arabic word buraq and the Persian word burah, meaning borax | | Date and Place of Discovery | 1808 in Paris, France and in London, England | | Discovered by | In France: Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac and L. J. Thenard In England: Sir Humphry Davy | | Common Compounds | - Boric acid [B(OH)3]
- Boron carbide (B4C)
- Boron nitride (BN)
- Boron tribromide (BBr3)
- Boron trichloride (BCl3)
- Boron trifluoride (BF3)
- Boron trioxide (B2O3)
| | Interesting facts | - It does not occur freely in nature in its elemental form.
- It is found in borax, boric acid, colemanite, kernite, ulexite and borates.
- It is sometimes found in volcanic spring waters.
- Its compounds are being evaluated for the treatment of arthritis.
- Almost 63% of the world's boron reserves are found in Turkey.
| | Common Uses | - Borosilicate glass
- Agriculture
- Fire retardants
- Soaps
- Cosmetics
- Deoxidizers
- Insecticides against ants, fleas and cockroaches
- Semiconductors
- Fireworks (green color)
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