![]() ![]() Boron may have been the key to the evolution of life on Earth.Boron absorbs excess neutrons, preventing them from zinging into too many uranium atoms. To keep nuclear reactions in balance, reactors are equipped with devices called control rods, often made of boron or other elements, according to the U.S. The key to this process is balancing it so that every fission event triggers just one more fission event otherwise, the reactions speed up like a runaway train and the reactor is said to go supercritical. This is extremely handy for nuclear fission, which is driven by careening neutrons knocking uranium atoms apart. The isotope boron-10 happens to be excellent at absorbing neutrons. (Oobleck can also be made with a mixture of cornstarch and water.)īut boron isn't all fun and games. The same concept is what makes Silly Putty both able to flow and bounce. A slow movement like pouring or a gentle poke allows the molecules to flow against one another, making the oobleck behave like a fluid. A "tap" or strong pressure forces the molecules in the fluid together, creating a solid. The glue and oobleck join up to create long, thin polymer molecules. Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, which means that its viscosity depends on the shear force applied to it. A mixture of borax solution and liquid glue creates a substance that is liquid when it is poured but solid when it is under pressure. ![]() (Pro tip: A borax-sugar solution will also kill ants!) It's also in the recipe for the science-fair goop oobleck, a liquid with some very strange properties. Boron (Image credit: general-fmv (opens in new tab), Andrei Marincas (opens in new tab) Shutterstock (opens in new tab))Īs part of borax, boron is a very common household element that is found in many detergents. ![]()
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