Chapter 10: Q12CQ (page 466)

In the boron atom, the single $2 p$ electron does not completely fill any $2 p$ spatial state, yet solid boron is not a conductor. What might explain this? (It may be helpful to consider again why beryllium is not an insulator.)

Short Answer

Expert verified

Overlapping the two electrons and one makes a boron an Insulator.

Step by step solution

A concept:

Boron is a chemical element with symbol B and atomic number $5$ . Boron is classified as a metalloid, it is a solid at room temperature.

Step-2: Reason for boron an insulator:

In the boron atom, the $2 s$ band and $2 p$ band overlap. Without overlapping, the $2 s$ band should be filled with the two $2 s$ electrons and the $2 p$ band should be partially filled with the one $2 p$ electron. That would make Boron a conductor. However, with overlapping, the two $2 s$ electrons and one $2 p$ electron will fill up the combined overlapping $2 s$ and $2 p$ band, making boron an insulator..

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In the boron atom, the single $2 p$ electron does not completely fill any $2 p$ spatial state, yet solid boron is not a conductor. What might explain this? (It may be helpful to consider again why beryllium is not an insulator.)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

A concept:

Step-2: Reason for boron an insulator:

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In the boron atom, the single 2p electron does not completely fill any 2p spatial state, yet solid boron is not a conductor. What might explain this? (It may be helpful to consider again why beryllium is not an insulator.)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

A concept:

Step-2: Reason for boron an insulator:

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Kinematics Physics

Space Physics

Medical Physics

Wave Optics

Electromagnetism

Physics of Motion

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

In the boron atom, the single $2 p$ electron does not completely fill any $2 p$ spatial state, yet solid boron is not a conductor. What might explain this? (It may be helpful to consider again why beryllium is not an insulator.)