BORON GROUP Meaning and
Definition
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The boron group refers to a family of chemical elements consisting of boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), and thallium (Tl). These elements are located in Group 13 (formerly Group IIIA) of the periodic table, which places them in the p-block.
Boron, the first element in the boron group, has an atomic number of 5 and is classified as a metalloid due to its properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals. The other four elements in the group, aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium, are classified as metals.
The boron group elements share certain characteristics, including three valence electrons in their outermost energy level, which makes them prone to form three covalent bonds. They also exhibit a tendency to display a +3 oxidation state, losing their three valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Moreover, they all have relatively low melting and boiling points and are generally good conductors of heat and electricity.
This group of elements has various applications in different fields. Aluminum, for example, is widely used as a lightweight structural material in the aerospace and automotive industries. Boron, on the other hand, finds applications in the production of heat-resistant borosilicate glass and as a dopant in silicon for electronic devices. Gallium is used in semiconductors and LED technology, while indium is employed in the production of transparent conductive coatings. Thallium also has niche applications, such as in the manufacture of low-melting glass and in medicine as a radioactive tracer.
Etymology of BORON GROUP
The term "boron group" is used in chemistry to refer to the elements in group 13 of the periodic table, namely boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium. Each of these elements has one valence electron in their outermost electron shell.
The word "boron" originates from the Arabic word "buraq" and Persian word "burah" which means "borax" or "white"; borax being a mineral from which boron compounds can be extracted. The term "group" in this context refers to the vertical columns of the periodic table where elements with similar properties are placed together.
Therefore, the etymology of the term "boron group" comes from the specific element "boron" and its position within the groupings of the periodic table.
