Boron

=** Boron **= By Cooper Doe

Boron is an element produced entirely by cosmic ray spallation, and because of this, it is not commonly found both on earth and in our solar system. Although it is extremely uncommon, it is a useful metal because it is incredibly hard, a 9.5 on the Mohs scale. It is hardly ever used though, mainly because it forms mostly in refractory materials containing a small amount of Carbon or other elements. As well as being necessary in some industrial uses, Boron provides essential strengthening to the cell walls of all plants, making it entirely necessary in all soil worldwide. Soil that does not contain Boron will not support //any// plant life. boooring!! Boron was not recognized as an official element until 1808, when it was isolated by Sir. Humphrey Davy. Davy observed that electric current sent through a solution of borates produced a brown mess on one of the electrodes. He named this newly discovered precipitate boracium. Later, two biologists named Gay-Lussac and Thenard used iron to reduce boric acid at high temperatures, thus producing an even purer form of boracium, and named this new discovery Boron. It was recognized as an element in 1808, one year after this discovery was made.


 * Atomic Symbol:** B
 * Atomic Number:** 5
 * Atomic Weight:**10.81
 * Melting Point:** 2300ºC
 * Boiling Point:** 2550ºC
 * Toxicity level**: Low to mammals but high to arthropods