Fluorine

Properties
Atomic symbol |  F
Atomic number |  9
Classification |  Halogen
Atomic mass |  19.0 amu
Other Information
Date of discovery |  1886
Name of discoverer |  Joseph Henri Moissan
Name origin |  From the Latin word fluo (flow)
Uses |  Refrigerants
Obtained from |  Mineral fluorite

Fluorine is the lightest member of the halogen elements, or Group VIIa of the periodic table. It is also the most reactive chemical element. Fluorine is so dangerous that it must be stored in steel containers, and even then it reacts with the steel. Fortunately, the layer of fluoride rust that forms is unreactive, and prevents it from reacting further. Fluorine is a component of many drugs, and its radioisotope is used in functional brain imaging and bone scans. Under ordinary conditions, pure fluorine is a gas with a pale yellow color.[1]

## Uses[edit]

The element is used in producing isotopically fractionated uranium from uranium hexafluoride (UF6). Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is extensively used for etching the glass of light bulbs, and other glass products. An ion of fluorine, Fluoride, is also added to dental health products is hopes that it will bond with the calcium in teeth. That is thought to help strengthen the teeth against acid decay.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Fluorine

Periodic Table of the Elements

1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7  | 8  | 9  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18

1.008

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

4.003

6.939

9.0122

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

10.811

12.011

14.007

15.999

18.998

10.183

22.99

24.312

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

26.982

28.086

30.974

32.064

35.453

39.948

39.102

40.08

44.956

47.9

50.942

51.996

54.938

55.847

58.933

58.71

63.546

65.37

69.72

72.59

74.922

78.96

79.904

83.8

85.47

87.62

88.905

91.22

92.906

95.94

[97]

101.07

102.91

106.4

107.87

112.4

114.82

118.69

121.75

127.6

126.9

131.3

132.91

137.34

57*

138.91

178.49

180.95

183.85

186.2

190.2

192.2

195.09

196.97

200.59

204.37

207.19

208.98

210

210

222

215

226.03

89**

227.03

104

[261]

105

[262]

106

[266]

107

[264]

108

[265]

109

[268]

110

[271]

111

[272]

112

[277]

113

[284]

114

[289]

115

[288]

116

[292]

117

[293]

118

[294]

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
*Lanthanides  |

140.12

140.91

144.24

145

150.35

151.96

157.25

158.92

162.5

164.93

167.26

168.93

173.04

174.97

|  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
**Actinides  |

232.04

231

238.03

237.05

239.05

241.06

244.06

249.08

252.08

252.08

100

257.1

101

258.1

102

259.1

103

262.11

|  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |