The term B, ON THE PERIODIC TABLE refers to the element BORON. BORON is a chemical element with the symbol B and atomic number 5. It is a nonmetal that is found in nature only in combination with other elements, usually oxygen. BORON is a relatively rare element, making up only 0.001% of the Earth's crust. It is used in a variety of industrial applications, including the production of glass, ceramics, and detergents.