Fluorine

Fluorine is a common element that belongs to the 17th Group of the periodic table. Fluorine is one of the six halogen gas element. Fluorine is defined as symbol F. Naturally fluorine is pale yellow type gas that contains pungent odor.

In this article, we will learn each and every details related to fluorine such that what is fluorine, data of fluorine, properties of fluorine, uses and many other important topics.

Symbol	F
Atomic Number	9
Atomic Mass	18.998403 g.mol-1
Group	17
Period	2
Electronic configuration	[He] 2s22p5
Discovered by	Henri Moissan

What is Fluorine?

Fluorine is a pale yellow gas that belongs to the halogen gas element. In periodic table, Fluorine is placed in 17th Group. Fluorine is the most electronegative element among all other elements in periodic table. Fluorine reacts with all other elements even with noble gases under certain conditions. The atomic number of fluorine is 9. Fluorine is a poisonous type gas.

Fluorine Gas

Properties of Fluorine

Major chemical properties of chlorine includes:

Group	17	Melting Point	−219.67°C, −363.41°F, 53.48 K
Period	2	Boiling Point	−188.11°C, −306.6°F, 85.04 K
Block	p	Density (g.cm-3)	0.001553
Atomic Number	9	State at 20°C	Gas
Atomic Mass	19 g.mol-1	Key isotopes	19F
Electron Configuration	[He] 2s22p5

Properties of Fluorine

Fluorine is the lightest element in halogen group. It has irritating odor. Properties of Fluorine are studied under two main heading,

• Physical Properties of Fluorine
• Chemical Properties of Fluorine

Physical Properties of Fluorine

Physical properties of fluorine are described below in the tabular form:

Characters	Details
Symbol	F
Atomic Number	9
Color	Pale Yellow
Odor	Pungent odor
State at 20oc	Gas
Melting Point	−219.67°C, −363.41°F, 53.48 K
Boiling Point	−188.11°C, −306.6°F, 85.04 K
Density	0.001553 gm-cm-3
Atomic Mass	19
Electronegativity	Very High
Electron Configuration	[He] 2s22p2
Molecular Structure	Diatomic
Solubility in Water	Sparingly soluble in water, forms hydrofluoric acid, [HF]
Common Oxidation	+1, 0, -1
Electrical Conductivity	Non-conductor
Heat of Vaporization	6509 J/mol at 85 K
Heat of Fusion	0.510 kJ/mol
Specific Heat	0.824 J/(g·K) at 298K
Ionization Potential	15.70 eV
Toxic	High toxic element

Chemical Properties of Fluorine

Various chemical properties of fluorine are:

• High Electronegativity: Fluorine is very high electronegative element. Due to this property, Fluorine is very reactive element.

• Reactivity: Fluorine reacts with all most all elements including water. By the reactivity, fluorine makes various components with many other elements. Fluorine is even reacts with noble gases under certain conditions.

• Formation of Compounds: Fluorine reacts with hydrogen to form hydrogen fluoride. Similarly when fluorine reacts with sodium, calcium or any other metals, it forms metal fluoride.

H₂ + F₂→2HF

2Na + F₂​​​ →2NaF

Ca + F_{2 =} CaF₂

• Oxidizing Ability: Fluorine has strong oxidation ability. It is known as strongest oxidizing agent.

• Isotopes: Fluorine has only a stable isotope that is ¹⁹F.

• Corrosiveness: Fluorine is very highly corrosive because of its high reactivity property. Because of it high corrosive nature, it can damage equipment and living tissues.

Chemical Compounds of Fluorine

Fluorine can form several compounds with various types of metals due to its high reactive and electronegative property. Few compounds of Fluorine is mentioned below:

• Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)
• Sodium Fluoride (NaF)
• Calcium Fluoride (CaF₂)
• Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF₃)
• Oxygen Difluoride (OF₂)
• Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF₃)
• Uranium Hexafluoride (UF₆)
• Xenon Difluoride (XeF₂)
• Sodium Monofluorophosphate (Na₂PO₃F)
• Dichlorodifluoromethane (CF₂Cl₂)

Uses of Fluorine

Fluorine is used in various industries for their commercial uses. The uses of Fluorine are as follows –

• Medical Purposes: Fluorine components are used to make anti-cancer drugs. Sodium fluoride, a component of fluorine is extensively used in toothpaste to prevent dental cavities.

• Chemical Manufacturing: Fluorine is used for manufacturing various products such as Teflon (PTFE), refrigerants and many other fluorocarbons. Uranium Hexafluoride (UF₆) is used in nuclear fuel and to make weapons.

• Agricultural Purpose: Fluorine components are used as pesticides in agriculture.

• Nuclear Reactor Coolants: Due to high temperature, some components of fluorine are used as a coolant in nuclear reactor.

• Semiconductor Manufacturing: It is used in semiconductor manufacturing cleaning and etching.

Facts About Fluorine

• Fluorine is the element that is 13th most abundance element in Earth’s crust.
• As it is very highly reactive element, so we can not get it in pure form. It always occur in the combination of other elements. Approximately fluorine reacts with all the elements that occur in Earth.
• Water is also burn in Fluorine with a bright flame.
• Fluorine found in air, coal and other elements.
• Amount of fluorine found in air is very negligible.

Related Elements
Lithium(Li)	Sulfur(S)
Potassium(K)	Silicon(Si)
Calcium(Ca)	Chlorine (Cl)

FAQs on Fluorine

What is fluorine used for?

Fluorine is used in toothpastes, pharmaceutical, nuclear reactors as coolants, as pesticides in agriculture. Fluorine is used to manufacture Teflon, refrigerants etc.

Is fluorine a gas or metal?

Fluorine is a gas that is occurred in pale yellow color.

What color is fluorine?

Fluorine is a pale yellow gas at room temperature.

Who discovered fluorine?

Frederic Henri Moissan, a French chemist discovered the element Fluorine in 1886.

What are uses of fluorine?

• In Medical Purposes
• In Chemical Manufacturing
• In Agricultural Purpose
• In Nuclear Reactor as Coolants

What are health hazards of fluorine?

Fluorine is dangerous for humans. It causes damage to the eyes, skin and lungs. High concentration fluorine can caused breathing problem.