Page 133 - The Periodic Table Book

This searing desert
is one of the main Uses THÉNARD AND GAY-LUSSAC
places on Earth
where boron is found. The salt sodium borate, also called borax, was already
in use 1,000 years ago. In 1808, the Frenchmen Joseph
Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis Jacques Thénard isolated
pure boron by heating borax with potassium.

Measuring cup

This tough glass The Boron Group
Death Valley, contains boron oxide.
USA
Corn Louis Jacques Thénard Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac
This French chemist is also
Born into a poor family,
Thénard excelled as a scientist. remembered for discovering
Needle- and leaf- Boric acid He also discovered a compound that the pressure of a gas goes
shaped crystals called hydrogen peroxide. up with its temperature.

These white crystals are
obtained from sodium borate. This clay is bouncy but also
firm because it contains boron.

This screen is
composed of
boron-rich glass, Modelling clay
LCD screen scratch-resistant.
which makes it

Boron
carbide

is one of the
hardest
materials in use
The protective body of this
tank contains boron carbide, today.
a compound of boron and carbon.
Military tank

Tough, heat-resistant glassware, such as some kinds of modelling clay and bouncy silly
measuring cups, are strengthened with boron. putty contain boron compounds. Boron is named
Boric acid is a natural antiseptic and can be used after a crumbly white salt called borax, which is
to treat minor cuts and scrapes. A flexible layer of used in detergents. The element is also present
boron-based glass fibres is used to toughen thin in a diverse range of objects, from insecticides
LCD screens for televisions and laptops. Even to armour for military tanks. 131

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