Periodic Table of the Elements: Fluorine


Name: Fluorine
Symbol: F
Atomic Number: 9
Atomic Mass: 18.9984
Atomic Volume: 14.61 cc/mol
Discovered By: First isolated by Moisson in 1886
Discovery Date: 1886
Origin of Name: Fluorine - (Latin and French) fluere (flow or flux)
Toxicity: Toxic. Attacks respiratory tracts. Compounds are toxic, especially hydrofluoric acid and its salts (protoplasmic poisons). Hydrofluoric acid produces ulcers which are difficult to heal.
Summary: Fluorine is the most reactive element. Fluorine gas (F 2 ) will react with almost all substances. It will burn water and will react with some inert gases. Fluorine is the most electronegative element. Teflon (polytetrafluroethylene) is a polymer in which all the hydrogen atoms are replaced with fluorine atoms. Thus, Teflon will not further react with many compounds under normal conditions.


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