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boron-10
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boron-10

isotope
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Quick Summary

Boron-10 is a stable isotope of the chemical element boron. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different masses. Boron-10 makes up about 19.9% of naturally occurring boron, with boron-11 comprising the remaining 80.1%.12

Boron-10 has a unique characteristic: it readily absorbs neutrons, a property measured by its large capture cross section. When a boron-10 nucleus captures a neutron, it releases an alpha particle. This property makes boron-10 useful in neutron shielding and in devices for detecting neutrons, such as Geiger counters filled with boron trifluoride gas. It is also the basis for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a medical treatment for certain types of tumors.2

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. boron
  2. isotope: Top Questions
  3. radioactive isotope: Top Questions

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