What is Boron?
{{Infobox boron}} [[File:B,5.jpg|thumb|Boron in a tube]] '''Boron''' is a [[chemical element]]. It has the chemical symbol '''B'''. It has the [[atomic number]] 5. It is a [[metalloid]] (it has properties of a [[metal]] and a [[Nonmetal|non-metal]]). Much boron is found in [[chemical compound]]s in its ore [[borax]]. Boron is never found free in nature. [[File:NIR-Electrofluorochromic-Properties-of-Aza-Boron-dipyrromethene-Dyes-srep18867-s1.ogv|thumb|Electrofluorochromic Properties of Aza Boron dipyrromethene]] Two types of boron are found ([[allotrope]]s). [[Amorphous]] boron is a brown powder and metallic ([[crystal]]line) boron is black and hard and a weak [[Electrical conductor|conductor]] at [[room temperature]]. Boron is the 5th element in the [[periodic table]] and is part of the Earth's surface. Pure boron is used as a [[dopant]] (a [[substance]] added to [[semiconductor]]s to change how it behaves with [[electricity]]) in the [[semiconductor]] [[industry]]. [[Chemical compounds]] of boron are important as to make strong materials not weigh very much, as [[nontoxic]] [[insecticide]]s and [[preservative]]s, and for [[chemical synthesis]]. [[Plant]]s need boron in them to live. Very small amounts of boron are needed in [[animal]]'s bodies so that they are very [[health]]y. How it keeps animals healthy is not known in detail. Boron was discovered by Sir [[Humphry Davy]], an English chemist, in 1808. Boron melts at 2075&nbsp;°C (3767&nbsp;°F), and boils at 4000&nbsp;°C (7232&nbsp;°F). == References == {{reflist}} {{Commons|Boron}} {{Periodic Table}} {{chem-stub}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Semimetals]]