F

Fluorine

Element 9 · 18.998 u

Reactive Nonmetal p-block Period 2 Group 17 Gas at RT Wikipedia →

Fluorine is the most electronegative and reactive of all elements.

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass18.998 u
Density0.001696 g/cm³
Melting Point53.53 K
Boiling Point85.03 K
AppearancePale yellow gas
State at Room TempGas

Chemical Properties

Electronegativity3.98 (Pauling)
1st Ionization Energy1681.0 kJ/mol
Electron Affinity328.0 kJ/mol
Oxidation States-1

Atomic Properties

Electron Configuration[He] 2s2 2p5
Atomic Radius42.0 pm
Covalent Radius57.0 pm
Van der Waals Radius147.0 pm

Discovery

Discovered ByAndre-Marie Ampere, Henri Moissan
Discovery Year1886
LocationParis, France
Named AfterLatin 'fluere' meaning to flow (from fluorspar used as a flux)

About Fluorine

Fluorine is a pale yellow, extremely corrosive and toxic diatomic gas. It is the most electronegative element and the strongest oxidizing agent. Fluorine reacts with virtually all substances. Many scientists were injured or killed trying to isolate it before Moissan succeeded in 1886.

Uses & Applications

Toothpaste (fluoride), Teflon (PTFE), refrigerants, uranium enrichment (UF6), pharmaceuticals, and etching glass.

Fun Fact

Fluorine is so reactive it can even cause water to catch fire and was responsible for several chemist fatalities before it was finally isolated.

Isotopes

Mass Number Abundance Half-Life Stable
19 1.0% - Yes

Electron Configuration

[He] 2s2 2p5

Compare

Compare Fluorine with other elements

Open Comparison Tool
← Oxygen Back to Table Neon →