Boron Questions

How many protons, electrons and neutrons does a neutral boron atom have?

5, 5, 6

What color does boron emit when put in a flame?

Green

Boron is a metaloid. What is a metaloid?

An element that has properties of both metals and nonmetals

What does adding boron to glass do to the glass?

Borosilicate glass resists heat shock (sudden temperature changes) and becomes stronger/more chemically resistant

How is boron similar to diamond? What property does boron give to cutting tools?

Boron forms very hard and strong crystals that are also heat resistant like diamond. Boron makes cutting tools extremely hard so they don’t break and stay sharp for cutting things like metal.

What is a medical use of boron?

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for treating some cancers. Boron-10 is placed into cancer cells, then hit with neutrons to destroy the tumor.

Why is Boron-10 used in nuclear reactors?

It has a very high ability to absorb neutrons, so it is used in control rods and reactor coolant chemistry to regulate or stop nuclear chain reactions.

What is one use of boric acid powder?

Pest control for killing ants and roaches.

What is the connection between the phrase “Green Dragon” and boron?

Boron burns green, so “Green Dragon” refers to the bright green flame.

How does perborate in laundry powder work?

Perborate is a bleaching agent that breaks down in water to release hydrogen peroxide and cleaning radicals that remove organic stains. It acts as a slow-release bleach stable in dry powder form.