Borax vs. Boron — What's the Difference?

A white crystalline mineral used in cleaning products.

Boron is a chemical element with the symbol B and atomic number 5, found in nature primarily in compounds such as borax and boric acid.

An alkaline mineral salt with properties that make it useful for neutralizing acidic substances.

A neutron-absorbing element, making it useful in control rods in nuclear reactors.

Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. Powdered borax is white, consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve in water.

Boron is a chemical element with the symbol B and atomic number 5. In its crystalline form it is a brittle, dark, lustrous metalloid; in its amorphous form it is a brown powder.

A naturally occurring substance used for pest control.

The chemical element (symbol B) with an atomic number of 5, which is a metalloid found in its pure form as a dark amorphous powder.

A hydrated sodium borate, Na2B4O7·10H2O, an ore of boron, that is used as a cleaning compound.

A single atom of this element.

A white or gray crystalline salt, with a slight alkaline taste, used as a flux, in soldering metals, making enamels, fixing colors on porcelain, and as a soap. It occurs native in certain mineral springs, and is made from the boric acid of hot springs in Tuscany. It was originally obtained from a lake in Thibet, and was sent to Europe under the name of tincal. Borax is a pyroborate or tetraborate of sodium, Na2B4O7.10H2O.

A nonmetallic element occurring abundantly in borax. It is reduced with difficulty to the free state, when it can be obtained in several different forms; viz., as a substance of a deep olive color, in a semimetallic form, and in colorless quadratic crystals similar to the diamond in hardness and other properties. It occurs in nature also in boracite, datolite, tourmaline, and some other minerals. Atomic number 5. Atomic weight 10.81. Symbol B.

A white compound which occurs as a mineral in some alkaline salt deposits and is used in making glass and ceramics, as a metallurgical flux, and as an antiseptic.

The chemical element of atomic number 5, a non-metallic solid.

Good-natured teasing or ridicule; banter.

A nonmetallic element that is amorphous and brown or crystalline and black, and is extracted chiefly from kernite and borax and used in flares, propellant mixtures, nuclear reactor control elements, abrasives, and hard metallic alloys. Atomic number 5; atomic weight 10.811; melting point 2,075°C; boiling point 4000°C; specific gravity (crystal) 2.34, (amorphous) 2.37; valence 3.

Cheap merchandise, especially tasteless furnishings.

A trivalent metalloid element; occurs both in a hard black crystal and in the form of a yellow or brown powder.

A white or gray/grey crystalline salt, with a slight alkaline taste, used as a flux, in soldering metals, making enamels, fixing colors on porcelain, and as a soap, etc.

Boron is a metalloid: a type of element that shares properties with both metals and nonmetals.

(chemistry) The sodium salt of boric acid, Na₂B₄O₇, either anhydrous or with 5 or 10 molecules of water of crystallization; sodium tetraborate.

Boron is a trace mineral necessary for the growth and health of the human body, though required only in minute amounts.

Cheap or tawdry furniture or other works of industrial design.

(transitive) To treat with borax.

An ore of boron consisting of hydrated sodium borate; used as a flux or cleansing agent.

A traditional ingredient in the creation of homemade slime.

Yes, borax is a source of boron. It is a boron compound that can be processed to extract pure boron.

No, boric is not the same as boron. Boric refers to boric acid, a compound of boron, while boron is a pure element.

Some people prefer using washing soda or baking soda as a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to borax, particularly for cleaning and laundry purposes.

Borax has a basic pH of about 9.3.

No, borax and boric are not the same. Borax is a boron compound, while boric refers to boric acid, another boron compound.

Boron is used in a variety of applications, including as an additive in fiberglass and ceramics, in laundry boosters, and in the production of borosilicate glass. It is also important for plant growth and is used in fertilizers.

Borax commonly comes in three forms: powder, crystal, and liquid.

Borax is also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate.

In plants, boron helps with cell wall formation and the absorption of calcium. In humans, it is believed to support bone health, brain function, and the immune system, though large amounts can be toxic.

Borax can be replaced by several products depending on the application, including baking soda, washing soda, or commercial cleaning agents.

Avocados, broccoli, prunes, and apples are examples of plants that are high in boron.

Borax is a compound of boron, sodium, and oxygen, and its chemical formula is Na2B4O7·10H2O.

In India, borax is commonly known as "Suhaga." The term comes from the Hindi language, and it is widely used in traditional Indian medicines and remedies.

No, borax is not safe for consumption. It is used in some countries in food preparation, but its use is considered unsafe and is banned in many places.

Borax is naturally found in evaporite deposits produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes.

Yes, borax powder can be harmful to humans if ingested or absorbed through the skin in large amounts.

Boron is a pure element, while borate refers to any compound that contains the borate ion, which is a form of boron combined with oxygen and other elements.

Rasorite (kernite) and tincal (borax ore) are considered the best sources of boron.

Common uses for boron include its use in borosilicate glass, ceramics, detergents, and as an essential nutrient for plants.

The Indian name for borax is "Suhaga."

No, baking soda and borax are not the same. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, while borax is sodium borate.

Borax can be used for a variety of purposes, including cleaning, deodorizing, pest control, and pH balancing.

In Pakistan, borax is commonly known as "Suhaga."

Yes, borax is a natural mineral that is mined from the earth.

Yes, humans can touch borax, but it can cause skin irritation, so it's recommended to use gloves while handling it.

No, borax is not just salt. It is a boron compound, while salt typically refers to sodium chloride.

Borax can cause skin irritation and should not be used directly on the skin.

Some processed foods, particularly in Asia, may contain borax, though its use in food is banned in many places due to health concerns.

No, borax is not FDA-approved for use in food or cosmetics.

Yes, borax can be used as a preservative, though its use in food and cosmetics is restricted in many places due to health concerns.

The price of 1kg of borax powder varies widely depending on the location and the supplier.

Borax is banned in some countries due to health concerns. It can be toxic if ingested or absorbed through the skin in large amounts.

Yes, borax can be mixed with vinegar. The mixture is often used for cleaning purposes.

Turkey has the world's largest boron reserves, followed by the United States.

There are two isotopes of boron that occur naturally: boron-10 and boron-11.

Boron is not made but is found naturally in the earth's crust. It is often mined in the form of compounds like borax and kernite.

In our daily lives, boron is used in detergents, cosmetics, agricultural fertilizers, and in the glass of smartphones, TVs, and other devices.

The main use of boron is in creating strong, heat-resistant glass, such as borosilicate glass, which is used in cookware and laboratory equipment.

Boron is a versatile element that is essential for plant growth and is also used in many industrial applications. It is also unique in that it is a metalloid, meaning it has properties of both metals and non-metals.

Common uses of boron include in glass and ceramics, detergents, and fertilizers, as well as in some fire retardants and as an insecticide.

Yes, borax can be used as a natural insecticide. It kills insects by dehydrating them and disrupting their digestive system.