Boron atom in 3D
Glass that handles heat. Boron compounds are used in borosilicate glass and detergents. Explore the 3D model, inspect its parts and learn with guided explanations. Free on Atlas.
What you can learn
Glass that handles heat. Boron compounds are used in borosilicate glass and detergents.
Identify boron from its proton count.
Count the neutrons in Boron-11.
Inspect the occupied electron shells.
Compare the valence shell with a neighbouring element.
Explain what changes when an electron is lost.
Boron in a glass compound is chemically combined with other elements; it is not a collection of separate neutral boron atoms.
Try an investigation
Identify boron from its proton count.
Check your understanding
What identifies an atom as boron?
5 protons. Atomic number is proton count. Every boron nucleus has 5 protons.
How many neutrons are in Boron-11?
6. Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 11 − 5 = 6. Mass number is not the average atomic weight of natural samples.
How many electrons are in a neutral boron atom?
5. A neutral atom balances 5 positive protons with 5 negative electrons.
Which shell count describes neutral boron in its ground state?
2, 3. [He] 2s² 2p¹ gives 2, 3 electrons across its occupied shells. Circular paths are only diagram guides.
If this atom loses one electron, what happens to its net charge?
It becomes +1. Losing one negative electron leaves one more proton than electrons. Its 5 protons still identify it as boron.
What can this 3D shell model tell you reliably?
The particle counts for the selected neutral isotope. The counts represent a defined isotope and neutral atom. Particle sizes, spacing and circles are simplified teaching symbols.
Sources and model scope
An educational representation. The explorer identifies its data sources, scale choices and simplifications.