Boron is one element that is found in every household. Whether you want to wash your clothes, or grow some garden plants in your backyard, boron is indispensable. The reason is that boron compounds are used in detergents, insecticides, and fertilizers. Boron is both a common chemical ingredient and an important nutrient for plants.
Boron receives its name from the Arabic word, ‘buraq’. It means borax, a mineral from which boron is extracted. Boron has a very high melting point. This quality makes it a suitable ingredient of a host of materials such as Pyrex glass and ceramic glazes for tiles and kitchen equipment. Boron makes them resistant to heat.
Boron’s household utilities do not end there. Its compounds are used in the manufacture of face powder, as its presence provides a smooth and silky texture and makes the skin look flawless.
Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis Jacques Thenard were the scientists who first discovered boron in1808. Its atomic number is 5, and the symbol is B.
Pictures credit: google