
After learning about periodic trends, it is reasonable to assume that HF would be a strong acid. There are numerous compounds that fluorine exists in, including hydrofluoric acid (HF). It needs only 1 more electron to complete its second shell, which is why it is so reactive and electronegative. It will violently rip an electron off almost any other atom and is very difficult to isolate.įluorine has 7 valence electrons. The fluorine atom has an electron configuration of 2s 2 2p 5, or 1s 22s 22p 5 and it the most electronegative element on the periodic table, with an electronegativity of 3.98. Fluorine is above chlorine on the periodic table, and is the lightest, most dangerous, and most reactive of all the halogens. It sits at the top of the halogen group, group 17, to the right of oxygen and the left of the element neon. The element fluorine has an atomic symbol of F, and atomic number 9. The name is derived form the Latin ‘fluere’, meaning to flow, because the mineral fluorspa, CaF 2, was used as a flux.Make sure to extinguish the source of fluorine, as this is the only effective way to fight the fire. If you ever find yourself caught in a fluorine fire, do not waste time by running for water or your fire extinguisher.This gaseous element only presents itself as a solid at a temperature of -220˚C.When trying to use X-rays to accomplish this in 1968, it ended in an explosion. This is a great breakthrough because of the many failed attempts in trying to unveil the crystalline structure of the solid. Using this, the structure of solid fluorine has been discovered. The Heinz Maier Leibnitz Research Neutron Source is a powerful neutron source.Fluorine was not commercially produced until World War II, when it was used to make atom bombs.The main mining areas of fluorite are China, Mexico, and Western Europe.Let’s learn more about this terrorizing element.

While fluorine’s pale, yellow-green color is interesting to look at, it is important to stay away from this violently reactive gas. This halogen element is the lightest of its group and is the 13 th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.Īt room temperature, this nonmetal element exists as a gas and possesses the ability to form diatomic molecules. Everyone is familiar with the element fluorine– maybe because it is found in household items, such as toothpaste, or maybe just because fluorine is an amazingly dangerous element.
