Question

Which of the following compounds contain boron? (a) Colemanite (b) Cristoballite (c) Kernite (d) Both \(\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{C}\)

Short answer

The correct answer is (d) Both A and C.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the problem

The exercise requires us to identify which compounds listed contain boron. The options include (a) Colemanite, (b) Cristoballite, (c) Kernite, and (d) Both A and C. We need to know about the composition of each compound to select the correct option.

Identify the composition of each compound

First, we need to understand the composition of the compounds listed: - Colemanite is known to contain boron as it is a borate mineral. - Cristoballite is a form of silica and does not contain boron. - Kernite is another borate mineral and does contain boron.

Analyze the options

Let's analyze the options based on the compositions: - Option (a) Colemanite contains boron. - Option (b) Cristoballite does not contain boron. - Option (c) Kernite contains boron. - Option (d) Both A and C would be correct if both contain boron, which they do.

Choose the correct option

The compounds that contain boron are Colemanite and Kernite. Therefore, the correct option is (d) Both A and C.

Key concepts

Borate Minerals

Borate minerals are naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain boron and oxygen atoms combining to form various molecular structures. These borate compounds are vital for numerous applications, including glassmaking, agriculture, and cleaning products. In the context of the exercise, Colemanite and Kernite are examples of borate minerals. They are quite essential in mining operations focused on boron extraction.

• Colemanite: This borate mineral is hydrated calcium borate, often found in evaporite deposits and is a significant source of boron.
• Kernite: Another vital borate mineral, kernite can be found in arid regions. It's a hydrated sodium borate and is often used as a source of boron for industrial processes.

Borate minerals are highly valued for their boron content, which significantly contributes to various chemical processes and applications.

Compound Composition

Understanding the composition of a compound is essential to identify the types of elements present within it. Here, compound composition tells us what elements a substance is made of, along with the ratios of these elements.
When we examine a compound like colemanite, we realize it consists of calcium, boron, oxygen, and hydrogen in a specific structure, showing us that boron is indeed present. Similarly, kernite's chemical composition, made up primarily of sodium, boron, and oxygen, also affirmatively contains boron. By understanding this composition:

• We can identify the compound's potential uses.
• We gain insights into its physical and chemical properties.
• We can predict its behavior in various chemical reactions.

Being familiar with these components allows us to make informed decisions about which compounds contain particular elements, such as boron in this case.

Identifying Elements

Identifying elements in a chemical compound involves recognizing the presence of specific atoms within the compound's molecular structure. This process is crucial in exercises like those involving boron-containing compounds.
In the given exercise, identifying elements requires a bit of knowledge about typical mineral compositions. You need to discern which listed minerals are known to contain boron. We achieved this by analyzing what elements form colemanite and kernite, confirming their boron content.
The steps to identify elements include:

• Investigating the known chemical formula of the compound.
• Learning about common compounds and their typical element combinations.
• Looking up mineral classifications which solidify their typical compositional elements.

These steps enable one to correctly choose or confirm the presence of elements like boron in the given compounds, facilitating the correct solution to the problem.