What is the Difference Between Boron and Borax?

Boron and borax are related but distinct chemical compounds. The main differences between them are:

1. Chemical Element vs. Chemical Compound: Boron is a chemical element, while borax is a chemical compound. Boron has the symbol B and atomic number 5, and it is a nonmetallic element occurring in borax. Borax, on the other hand, is a compound of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water.
2. Melting and Boiling Points: The melting point and boiling points of boron are 2076 °C and 3927 °C, respectively. In contrast, the melting point and boiling points of borax are 743 °C and 1,575 °C, respectively.
3. Occurrence: Both boron and borax occur naturally, but borax is more abundant, while boron is a trace element. Borax is a white mineral compound found in alkaline salt deposits and is a sodium salt of boric acid.
4. Crystallization: Borax naturally occurs in evaporite deposits due to the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes. It can be refined via recrystallization.
5. Uses: Borax and boric acid are both borates, which are compounds derived from the element boron, and they have overlapping uses. However, they are not interchangeable, as they have different chemical structures and properties.

Comparative Table: Boron vs Borax

The main difference between boron and borax is that boron is a chemical element, while borax is a chemical compound containing boron, sodium, and water molecules. Here is a table comparing the two: