Boron

Maura Carey December 2, 2009 Period 4

Boron Group 13, Period 2, P-block, Periodic Table, U.S.A. Atomic Number: 5, Atomic Mass: 10.811

I.Objective 1.What does Boron want to do? Its most commercially important use is in sodium borate pentahydrate (Na2B4O7·5H2O), which creates fiberglass insulation and sodium perchlorate bleach. Another important compound is boric acid (H3BO3), which makes textile fiberglass and works as a flame retardant in cellulose insulation. Slightly less economically important than the first two uses, Boron makes a compound commonly known as Borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O), which can be used in laundry products as an antiseptic. Borax also is used to make Oobleck, a material used by middle-school students in science class. Not only is Boron commercially viable, it is versatile. Boron's isotope boron-10 has been used in the control rod for nuclear reactors, as a radiation shield, and in instruments used for detecting neutrons. Furthermore, Boron has been used in rockets as an ignition source, while boron filaments are used in aerospace industry because of their high strength and low-weight. Boron in different forms has also been used in the health industry as an antiseptic and a possible cure for arthritis. Finally, Boron is a staple in the pyrotechnic industry because it creates a green color when heated. 2.What kind of job is it looking for? What is its ideal position? Boron is looking for a leadership position in any one of the numerous industries in which it excels, like textile, fiberglass, aeronautics, rocketry, healthcare, or pyrotechnics. Having been in the business for over 6,000 years, Boron prefers a position with a retirement plan and health benefits. 3.Concise history: Boron compounds have been used for about 6,000 years starting with the Babylonians. Egyptians, Chinese, Tibetans, and Arabians have been known to use it. It was discovered in the early 19th century by Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis-Jaques Thénard, and Sir Humphrey Davy through the reaction of boric acid (H3BO3) with potassium. 4.Background: 50 years after its discovery, impure boron products with properties similar to diamond and graphite were produced. Only in the 20th century, however, did Boron become of interest when its purest form was discovered and it was used to form many unusual compounds. 5.How did Boron get to where it is now? Boron is not found free in nature, but occurs as orthoboric acid found in certain volcanic spring waters. Other important sources of boron are ores found in the Mojave Desert, and borax deposits found in Turkey. Boron that is nearly pure has been produced scientifically since the 20th century and is available commercially. II.Honors and Awards Boron is found highly concentrated in bones and tooth enamel, so it is believed that it is an important part of the diet in maintaing healthy teeth and bones as well as preventing osteoporosis. Lack of boron can lead to boron deficiency disorder. Many industries rely on Boron as it is very economically important III.Experience and Skills Versatility: Boron can transmit portions of the infrared. Leadership skills in extreme situations: Is a good conductor of electricity only at high temperatures Has a distinctive flare: Used in pyrotechnic flares because it creates a distinctive green color Displays strength and fortitude: Can be used to make a material as hard as diamond known as aluminum boride Warm personality: Nitride behaves like an electrical insulator and can conduct heat like a metal Smooth talker: Has lubricating properties similar to graphite. Forms a compound that is even more similar to graphite known as aluminum carbon. Energetic and enthusiastic: Hydrides are used in rocket fuels because they are easily oxidized and provide great energy liberation Great networking skills: Like carbon, Boron can form networks of covalent bonds. Open-mindedness: Forms many unusual and complex compounds. IV.References: Statements from elements who have worked with Boron before. 1.Hydrogen: “Boron and I have worked together consistently since Alfred Stock began experimenting with boron-hydride compounds in the early 1900's. We've definitely bonded since then! We create many different variations on a compound called borane.” 2.Fluoride: “Yes, I have met Boron. He might be a little boring, but he can't help it--his name is Bore-on! Anyway, we create two compounds called Boron trifluoride (BF3) and Diboron tetrafluoride (B2F4).” 3.Bromide: “Boron is one of my best friends, definitely one of my 'bros'. We form a compound called Boron tribromide (Bbr3).” V.Citations

Works Cited “Boron.” Periodic Table of the Elements. Los Alamos National National Laboratory, Dec.-Jan. 2003. Web. 28 Nov. 2009. . “Boron- essential nutrient, trace mineral.” Articles.Directorym. BET Information Systems, Inc., 2008. Web. 28 Nov. 2009. . “Boron: History.” Nautitlis. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2009. . Gagnon, Steve. “It’s Elemental-The Element Boron.” Jefferson Lab. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2009. . Winter, Mark. “Boron Compounds.” WebElements. WebElements Ltd., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. .