Boron is a metalloid chemical element with symbol B and atomic number 5. Produced entirely by cosmic ray spallation and supernovae and not by stellar nucleosynthesis, it is a low-abundance element in both the Solar system and the Earth's crust. Boron is concentrated on Earth by the water-solubility of its more common naturally occurring compounds, the borate minerals.
Three reasons Boron stands out
- 1
Used in heat-resistant glass.
- 2
Used in nuclear reactor control rods because it absorbs neutrons so effectively.
- 3
It is an essential nutrient for plant growth and reproduction.
Boron’s talent for extremes
Boron sits between metallic and nonmetallic behavior. Its strong covalent networks help borosilicate glass survive sudden temperature changes, while boron carbide ranks among the hardest known materials. The isotope boron-10 captures neutrons so readily that it is used to help control nuclear reactions.