Element 5

Boron (B)

Metalloid · Period 2 · Group 13 · p-block

Boron (B) is element 5 of the periodic table, a metalloid in period 2, group 13 (p-block) with an atomic mass of 10.81 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
5
Symbol
B
Atomic mass
10.81 u
Category
Metalloids
Period
2
Group
13
Block
p-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p1
Shorthand configuration
[He] 2s2 2p1
Electrons per shell
2, 3
Oxidation states
+3

Physical properties

Melting point
2349 K
Boiling point
4200 K
Density
2.34 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
2.04
Atomic radius
87 pm
Covalent radius
84 pm
Van der Waals radius
192 pm
First ionization energy
801 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
27 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
B-1111.0093180.1%Stable

Common uses

  • Fiberglass
  • Ceramics
  • Detergents
  • Semiconductors

Discovery

Year
1808
Discovered by
Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac, Louis Jacques Thénard
Country
France

Keep exploring