NAME: ETHYL F.

DIGMAN DATE: JANUARY 31, 2011

YEAR/SECTION: III-ALETA RATING:

Name: Boron

Atomic number:5

FAMILY: GROUP 13 (IIIA)

Atomic mass: 10.81 g.mol -1

Electronegativity according to Pauling :2.0

Density: 2.3 g.cm-3 at 20°C

ATOMIC VOLUME: 4.6 CM CUBIC /MOL

Melting point :2076 °C

Boiling point: 3927 °

Vanderwaals radius :0.098 nm

Ionic radius :0.027 nm

Isotopes: 2

Electronic shell :[ He ] 2s22p1

Energy of first ionization: 800.5 kJ.mol -1

Energy of second ionization :2426.5 kJ.mol -1

Energy of third ionization :3658.7 kJ.mol -1

Discovered by:Sir Humphry Davy and J.L Gay-Lussac in 1808

Boron was discovered by: Boron was first isloated by Sir Humphry Davy, Joseph Louis Gay-
Lussac, and Louis Jacques Thénard, each of whom was working independently, in 1808. It was
incompletely refined and was not recognized as an element. It remained for the
Swedishchemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius to actually identify boron as an element, which he did in
1824.
II- Properties/Characteristics:

Appearance

black-brown

General properties

Name, symbol,numbe boron, B, 5

r

Pronunciation /ˈbɔrɒn/

Element category metalloid

Group, period,block 13, 2, p

Standard atomic 10.811g·mol−1

weight

Electron configuration [He] 2s2 2p1

Electrons per shell 2, 3 (Image)

Physical properties

Phase solid

Liquid density atm.p. 2.08 g·cm−3

Melting point 2349 K2076 °

 ,C3769 ° ,F

Boiling point 4200 K3927 °

 ,C7101 ° ,F

Heat of fusion 50.2 kJ·mol−1

Heat of vaporization 480 kJ·mol−1

 Specific heat capacity (25 °C)
11.087
J·mol−1·K−1

III-Boron Uses

Boron and its compounds have been used for thousands of years for various purposes. The
unique physical and chemical properties of boron are responsible of its various applications.
Following are some uses of boron.

• One of the main uses of boron is in the form of sodium tetraborate pentahydrate,
Na2B4O7. Sodium tetraborate is used in the manufacture of insulating fiberglass and also
in cleaning products such as bleaches and detergents.
• Sodium perborate, a boron compound, serves as a source of active oxygen, in many
laundry detergents, cleaning products and some tooth bleaching formulas.
• Boron carbide shields have a high cross section for neutron capture, hence, they are
used as control rods in nuclear reactors. Boron carbide is also used in making bulletproof
vests and in tank armor.
• Borosilicate glass is a common example of boron being used in glass and ceramic
industries. Borosilicate glass has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and shows
excellent resistance to thermal shocks.
• Boron fibers have a high tensile strength and yet are lightweight. They are used for
advanced aerospace structures as well as for consumer and sporting goods such as
fishing rods and golf clubs.
• Boron is used as a dopant in semiconductor industry, for semiconductors like germanium,
silicon and silicon carbide.
• Boron uses in agriculture for making various agricultural chemicals, pest controls,
fertilizers, soil supplements are known to all. It is one of the essential nutrients required
by plants for normal growth.