Boric acid

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/boric-acid

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the chemical formula?H₃BO₃
2. What is the systematic name?Orthoboric acid
3. What is boric acid and what does it look like?Boric acid is a white powder that is a weak acid made from boron. It comes from minerals like borax and is used in many everyday products.
4. How does boric acid keep bugs away?When insects eat boric acid, it poisons their cells and weakens their exoskeleton, causing them to dry out and die. It works slowly, so the insects can spread it to their colony.

Lewis Acid: A chemical species that can accept an electron pair from a Lewis base to form a covalent bond.
Borosilicate Glass: A type of glass with a high resistance to thermal shock and chemical corrosion, used in labware and cookware.
Flux: A substance that lowers the melting point of another material, often used in welding, brazing, and glassmaking.
Exoskeleton: A rigid external covering for the body in some invertebrate animals, providing support and protection.